subject: Cold Weather And How It Will Affect Your Texas Energy Bill. [print this page] I live in Texas and the moment I start to feel that cool air blow, one thing comes to mind Hello, lower electricity bill! I will admit that I thought this was the same for the rest of the country, but it turns out that I was wrong. Just like the hot summer months cause higher energy bills for Texas and other southern states, the winter months cause a rise in the natural gas bills for the northern states. The good news is there are some tips to keep heating costs down! But before I get into that, its helpful to understand the background on why the winter months affect energy/gas bills differently for different parts of the country.
To begin, the primary method of heating houses in the north is by using natural gas; whereas in Texas, people mostly use electricity to heat and cool their houses. Because the north primarily uses gas during the winter, the homes will experience an increase in their gas bill, but not necessarily their electricity bills. In addition, the capacity to heat and maintain the warm temperatures in homes in the north requires much more natural gas than in the south. For example, if the weather in the north hovers around 15 to 20 degrees (on a warm day) think about how much gas is necessary to raise and keep home temperatures at a bearable 70 degrees. It is more costly than trying to raise temperatures from 55 or 60 degrees, like in the south. Therefore, the more natural gas being used, costs rise because of the increase in demand, which of course results in higher utility bills.
Since we now know the cost of heating is going to increase, here are some ways to help keep those costs down.
Take advantage of heat from other sources. According to scrippsnews.com, every degree above 70 will increase your heating cost up to four percent. So try to take advantage of the heat generated from other activities done around the house. For example, taking a shower generates heat. So during your next shower, open the bathroom door to let steam spread to other rooms. Just be sure not to turn on the fan, which will quickly remove the warm air.
Dont let heat escape unnecessarily. This takes some investigative work on your end to locate any gaps or leaks where warm air can escape. Feel around windows and door frames to see if there is any cold air leaking through. If you feel cold air it means you have found an air leak. A relatively easy fix is to use caulking or weather-stripping to fill in the leaks. Drafts can also come in through the base of doors. An easy fix is to roll up a towel like a snake and place it at the base of the door. For something more appealing, there are draft stoppers that can be found in colorful designs.
Keep windows covered when its dark outside. If you have window coverings on any of your windows, close them at night. This will help reduce heat loss and prevent cold air from coming in. On the flip side, keep them open during the day to let the warm sunlight in. For homes with older windows, in addition to window coverings, you can apply plastic sheeting over the whole window. It may not have the best curb appeal but it will add a layer of insulation without blocking the light.
Put on socks. This is an easy trick to warm your body. As much as 30% of your body heat can escape through your feet and hands, so it is helpful to put on a pair of socks. If you are still cold, try putting on a throw blanket to cover your feet and shoulders instead of turning up the heater.
Schedule professional maintenance. It is recommended that your system should have maintenance two times a year once in the spring before the cooling season begins and then in the fall before the heating season. If a heater is maintained properly it will run more efficiently. Another thing to remember is to check the filters in your heating system. They can get dirty and clogged and cause your unit to work harder to push warm air out thus increasing heating costs.
Mind your fireplace. Using the fireplace can be cozy at the time, but it also can waste gas as it allows warm air to get out through the chimney. So, when the fireplace is not in use (especially after the fire dies out and the gas is turned off), close the damper, which will prevent warm air from escaping.
Use ceiling fans. Just like in the warm months, fans can help in the cooler months as well, if there is a reverse switch. When the direction of a ceiling fan is reversed, it will actually pull the cool air up to mix with the warm air; which is especially helpful in rooms with high ceilings. If you are confused about which way the fan should revolve, then stand directly under it and if you feel a breeze then it is on summer mode and needs to be switched.
Protect electrical outlets and switches. Outdoor electrical outlets and switches can actually be a source of air leaks too. To keep the air in, you can purchase and install foam insulation pads, which are easy to install and found at most hardware stores.
Dress for the occasion. So it turns out that your body is one of the best heat sources you have. Before you reach over to crank up your thermostat to 80 degrees, try putting on some warm clothes. Dress appropriately by wearing layers, which traps your body heat in air pockets between the layers to keep you warm. Also, sweaters and sweatpants are helpful, and while they may not look the most fashionable, youll at least be warm.
Dont forget about the water heater. If your water heater is older than five years or has an Rvalue less than R-24, then try applying insulation. This can reduce heat loss by 25-45%. This can result in savings of 4-9% in water heating costs . An easy way to add insulation is to use a water heater blanket/jacket (be sure it has a value of at least R-8). Lastly, insulate the pipes around your water heater. This is especially helpful if the water heater is located in an unheated space. It will reduce heat loss, and you wont have to wait as long for hot water, which can also conserve water too. To insulate pipes, you can use good quality pipe insulation, strips of fiberglass insulation or for an easier fix, pipe sleeves (most commonly used).
