Energy Conservation: Tips for warm and cold weather

Conserving Energy During Warm Weather

• Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible (78°F or higher) – every degree of extra cooling will increase energy usage six to eight percent.
• Raise your thermostat to 80°F or higher if leaving for more than four hours.
• Install a programmable thermostat. Set a schedule that matches when you will be home and when you will be away. This will save energy and money.
• Use ceiling fans and stand fans to circulate cool air. Fans use a wind chill effect to cool people, not rooms. Turn fans off when you will be out of a room for a while.
• Install patio covers, awnings, and solar window screens to shade your home from the sun. Shade south and west windows with plants or trees to block the heat during the summer.
• Close interior blinds, drapes, or shades to block the sun and heat during warm weather.
• Use a clothesline instead of a clothes dryer.
• Outside air conditioning units, or condensers, should be shaded, if possible, but free of debris or obstructions.
• Try to save heat and humidity-generating activities (cooking, laundering, and dishwashing) for early morning or late evening hours.
• Use spot ventilation fans while cooking or showering to remove excess heat and humidity from your home.

Conserving Energy During Cold Weather

• Set your thermostat as low as comfortably possible (68°F or lower) – every degree of extra heating will increase energy usage six to eight percent.
• Lower your thermostat to 65°F or lower if leaving for more than four hours.
• Install a programmable thermostat. Set a schedule that matches when you will be home and when you will be away. This will save energy and money.
• Set ceiling fans on reverse to re-circulate the heat that builds up near the ceiling.
• Cover windows with insulated curtains and close blinds.
• Open interior blinds, drapes, or shades during the day to let the sun warm your home during cooler months.
• Wrap water heater in an insulation blanket.
• Upgrade attic and exterior wall insulation. If you upgrade insulation, you may be eligible to receive a rebate on your total project costs. Learn more about our SmartHOME Program here. https://www.btutilities.com/energy-efficiency/smarthome-programs/

For more energy-saving tips visit https://www.puc.texas.gov/consumer/facts/Save.aspx

If you experience an outage, turn off all appliances except for one lightbulb. Once the power comes back on slowly turn on appliances in gradual steps over 20 minutes or so. This will help line workers restore power and prevent additional damage to the system.