Four High-Electric Bill Triggers

Learn what can make winter bills jump up — and how you can save.

Did your energy usage go up this month, and you’re wondering why? Here are a few things that can trigger a high bill this time of year and solutions to help you save

Trigger: Increased heating, including space heaters, due to colder weather.
Solutions: Watch that thermostat! Keep it set no higher than 68 degrees. Each degree you lower the temperature saves about two percent on heating. Remember to turn it down to 60 degrees at bedtime or when you’re away from home for more than a couple of hours. If you use a space heater, use it in one room, such as the family room or a bedroom, close the door and lower the heat in the rest of your home.

Trigger: Lack of insulation and weatherization. Heating systems run more often when the weather turns cold — especially if your home is drafty and under-insulated. That heat is just leaking out of your house.
Solutions: If you don’t have any insulation or not enough, then adding insulation should move to the top of your home’s 2012 to-do list. It’s one of the most important things you can do to help control your heating bills. Caulking, weatherstripping, and sealing and insulating ducts are also key steps to help save energy and make your home more comfortable. 

Trigger: The holidays. Did you do some extra holiday cooking? Hang holiday lights? Welcome overnight guests?
Solutions: You can still celebrate while keeping your energy bills from getting out of hand. Try using the microwave and slow cooker when possible for cooking, which both use less energy than the oven. Replace the old strings of holiday lighting with new LED lights that use just a fraction of the energy. And if your overnight guests are fond of long, hot showers, install a high-efficiency showerhead before they visit again.

Trigger: Lights on more often because of shorter, darker days.
Solutions: You can use 25 to 80 percent less energy on lighting if you switch out old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs for high-efficiency incandescents, compact fluorescent blubs or new LED options.