Easy ways to keep warm while saving energy
12/23/22
As we begin to see the cold front making its way into the Rio Grande Valley, staying prepared is always a good idea. We also know that our members may be concerned about their energy bills. Here are a few tips on how to stay safe and save money during the colder seasons.
Don’t overload your outlets
It may seem convenient to plug all your cords into one outlet, but you may not know that overloading your outlets is one of the leading causes of residential fires. Space your extension cord and outlets evenly to prevent mishaps this holiday season.
Use portable generators safely
Unfortunately, outages can be unpredictable, but in the case of a prolonged outage, members will likely want to power their homes with generators. Never plug standby generators into your home’s electrical system if you choose to do so. The generator can cause a back feed into the electrical grid, which can be dangerous. Keep several feet of clearance on all sides to allow proper generator ventilation. Also, never place a generator inside the house; carbon monoxide poisoning can occur.
Wear extra layers
If you are wondering how to stay warm while saving money, wearing additional layers answers your question. Wearing extra socks, shirts, bottoms, sweaters, and jackets can increase your body temperature and make you feel a bit warmer, which can help prevent you from wanting to kick on the heating system.
Turn up the thermostat
Did you know that your heating and cooling system is responsible for 40-50% of your monthly energy bill? Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower, which Energy.gov recommends. When using your heating system, a one-degree increase in heating set-point can increase energy by 3 – 5%.
Never leave space heaters unattended
Make sure to turn off space heaters when leaving the room. Also, keep them away from flammable items and children, as space heaters can be dangerous if left unattended.
Need to report your outage?
As always, MVEC crews will be on standby in case of any outages. To report your outage, please call 866-225-5683, or you can also report your outage through the MVEC portal and MVEC mobile app.