Energy Efficiency Tips for Winter

By Southern California Edison

With storm conditions expected to continue this week, Southern California Edison would like to provide these tips for your audience to help them save energy, keep costs down and stay safe.

Three simple steps customers can take now:

• Adjust the thermostat – If you lower the thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees while you sleep at night, you can save up to 10 percent on your heating bill. A smart thermostat can be programmed based on your schedule, so you don’t have to heat your home while you’re away.
• Remember the water heater –  Experts recommend keeping the water heater temperature at or above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the most energy-efficient and scald-safe.
• Mind the blinds – Closing curtains or blinds can reduce heat loss from a room and opening them on sunny days helps warm a room naturally. Remember to close them up again before you go to sleep!
   

Here are three inexpensive solutions that will take a little more time:

• Maintain your HVAC system – Just like your car, schedule regular service appointments for your HVAC system to make sure it is running efficiently.
• Clean and replace filters – Checking your air filters every three months is a good rule of thumb to keep the air clean and your system running smoothly.
• Weatherize entry and exit points – A lot of energy can leak out of windows and doors that aren’t properly weatherized. Visit your local hardware store and pick up some weather stripping. It’s easy to install and will keep energy and money from escaping out the window or door.

And for the long run…

• Insulate your attic – Adding insulation to your home or upgrading what you already have can pay for itself within a few years and significantly lower your bill in the meantime.
• Upgrade to energy efficient appliances – The cost savings vary for each appliance, but a typical household can save 25 percent on energy bills by using energy-efficient appliances.
   

We can help customers who may be experiencing a hardship through assistance programs, including payment arrangements and energy discounts for income-qualified households.

Last, please make sure to take appropriate safety precautions this winter season:

• If you’re using a space heater, leave at least a three-foot gap between it and anything that can burn and make sure that it has an automatic shutoff feature. Also, always plug space heaters directly into your wall outlet and avoid using a power strip or extension cord for this purpose.
• Check the batteries on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors every six months.
• When it’s windy, you might see downed power lines. If you do, stay away and call 911 immediately. If a power line falls on your vehicle, stay inside, call 911 and wait for help to arrive.