Power Department

Winterize Your Home

When you put on your winter weather gear to stay warm outside, colder temperatures can mean an increase in energy use to stay warm inside. If you prepare properly, heating your home doesn’t have to break the bank. As the mercury dips, ready your abode for sweater weather by following these easy steps to winterize your home:

• Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic
• Run water regularly
• Cover windows with plastic to keep the cold air out

You may choose to use indoor space heaters for added warmth. If not used properly, space heaters can be a very dangerous fire hazard. When purchasing a space heater, look for one that has an automatic shut-off or tip- over switch. Place the heater on a level surface away from high-traffic areas and flammable items such as curtains, bedding or furniture. To help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning; make sure the room has enough ventilation.

Get in the energy saving spirit by conducting a home energy assessment. See how much energy your home consumes and evaluate what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. Then, check out the “Save Energy, Save Money” tab at energy.gov from the U.S. Department of Energy to learn things you can do to stay warm and save money this winter. Are you a Washington City Power customer and interested in tips on conservation, completing a home energy analysis, or comparing your usage to similar homes? Visit WashingtonCity.org/power to find out how you can do this and more.

-Power Department