WINTER HEATING TIPS
Cold weather is coming. Check out the tips below to lower your heating costs or apply for Energy Assistance.
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THERMOSTATS
You can save energy and money by just changing what your thermostat is set on. You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.
An easy way to do this is by installing a programable thermostat. Even without a programmable thermostat, you can manually change the temperatures, keeping it around 67°-68°F while you are home and awake. Turn the temperature lower while sleeping or when you’re away.
WEATHERIZATION
Weatherizing your home saves energy and money. Getting a Professional home energy assessment will tell you about your home’s energy use. Areas to look at air sealing, insulation, moisture control and ventilation for your home.
You can read more about weatherization here.
For low-income families, Ohio offers a Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP).You can read more about that program through the link below.
HEATING SYSTEMS & TIPS
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Make sure furnace filters are cleaned and replaced monthly or as recommended.
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Make sure furnaces, baseboard heaters, radiators and warm air returns are clean and free of objects.
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Have appliances (furnaces, radiators, etc.) checked and serviced as often as recommended for your model.
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Keep drapes and blinds open during the day to allow the sun to heat the house and closed at night to reduce the cold from the windows.
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Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction, which pushes warm air back down into the room.
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Set your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees to help you reduce your monthly water heating bills.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio(PUCO) has approved the Winter Reconnect Order. This order allows you to connect, reconnect or avoid disconnection for a maximum of $175.00 + a $36.00 connection fee.
Click Here for more information.
If you need assistance paying your
energy bills try the following links:
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Supports to Encourage Low-Income Families (SELF)