NEW YORK – Extreme winter weather continues to threaten as New York remains in a state of emergency and areas of Western New York are hit by a once-in-a-century snowstorm.
Sub-zero temperatures can make you run to the thermostat to turn up the heat, consequently increasing your energy bill.
However, there are some cost-saving measures you can take to make sure your home uses its energy most efficiently.
These are some tips for PSEG Long Island To reduce your energy bill this winter:
- Move furniture and curtains away from heat sources.
- Blocking the vents prevents significant amounts of warm air from heating the room.
- Turning down the thermostat by just one degree can help reduce your bill.
- Reducing it by 5-10 degrees during the night while you sleep can lead to even greater savings.
- Use programmable thermostats to regulate home temperatures
- ENERGY STAR estimates that an average home could save $180 when using a programmable thermostat correctly.
- A highly efficient air source heat pump (ASHP) can help save money and reduce energy consumption.
- It can also help regulate temperatures in the warmer months.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs to improve energy efficiency.
- Seal windows and door frames with weather seals and cover window air conditioners to reduce drafts.
- Be sure to close your fireplace damper when not in use, as this provides a direct path for the warm air to escape from the house.
- Reduce “phantom power” by unplugging electronic devices not in use!
- They use electricity even when they are turned off.
- Set the ceiling fan to rotate clockwise on the low setting to push warm air into a room and pull cool air toward the ceiling.
- Use natural light! Opening curtains and blinds in rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight and closing them at night can naturally warm your home.
The data of Energy information administration (EIA) from the United States show that space heating is the main source of energy consumption in homes. In 2015, it accounted for an average of 43% of total consumption among all households.
The EIA says that only 7% of the final energy consumption of the residential sector was represented by renewable energy sources in 2021.
