Nearly 80% of the USA saw below freezing temperatures for several days in a row last week and the Mid-South was no exception.  Winter is here kicking heaters and energy consumption into high gear. Fortunately, you can stay warm while managing your energy usage and costs by making your home more energy efficient, say our friends at Entergy.  

Heating costs can account for more than 50 percent or your monthly energy usage. Instead of cranking up the thermostat when the temperatures drop, take these free or low-cost steps to remain comfortable and save energy and money on your utility bills.

Manage your electricity usage by implementing these energy efficiency practices

Be prepared!

Keep heating costs low all season long by taking these tips to improve your home’s energy efficiency:

• Seal air leaks: Use caulk or weatherstripping around doors, windows and any location where there may be a path between the inside and outside.
• Adjust the thermostat: Set the thermostat to 68 degrees during winter months, and dress in layers to stay warm. Each degree above 68 can increase your energy bill by about 3 percent.
• Conserve hot water: Set your hot water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees, or the medium setting. 
• Keep doors and windows closed: Constant traffic will let out warm air, forcing your heater to work harder to keep the room at a set temperature.
• Ensure fans are turning the right way: Fans should be run at a low speed clockwise during the winter to prevent the cold air from blowing down on you.
• Replace air filters: Dirty filters make your heating system work harder. Replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Use sunlight to your advantage: During the day, open your curtains and blinds to let in the warm sunlight. Close them at night to reduce heat loss.

Other ways to stay warm

Enjoy warm beverages and foods, and use the oven and stove to cook them. Since foods higher in fat and protein are metabolized slowly by the body, those could make you feel warmer. Consider hearty soups with beans and meat. Slow cooking meals can help generate heat throughout the day.

Close off unoccupied rooms. By shutting the doors of rooms no one is using, you can create additional barriers between yourself and the cold outdoors. This can also aid preventing heat loss from the room you’re in.

Cold feet? One of the quickest ways to warm up is to keep your feet nice and toasty. Whether you're working from home or heading out on a weekend stroll, a good pair of knitted socks (especially those made from merino wool or cashmere) will do just the trick. We also recommend considering thermal socks — designed to keep you warm outdoors – as they tend to lock in heat better than cotton options.

Best advice we have heard lately is to try to enjoy this season with its special holidays, occasional snows, frosty outdoor play and heart warming family time in a new energy efficient Grant home!

And, only 55 more days until Spring!