By Heather Jensen Weekend Anchor/Reporter
News 3 On Your Side
Climatologists predict a colder than usual winter. News 3 is On Your Side with how to stay warm without breaking the bank.News 3 On Your Side
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Stumble It!It’s tough to think about colder weather with the warm sun still shining. But some energy experts believe now is the time to act.
“You want to make sure you have correct attic insulation,” says Robert Watkins. “Make sure you seal around the windows and doors. Seal those leaks. If you have someone come in make sure all your duct work is sealed.”
Watkins works with Georgia Power. He’s seen homes inside and out, and knows all the tricks for staying warm in the colder months.
“No matter how cold it gets, you still want to keep that heat in,” he says.
If your heating equipment is in top shape, you can move on to smaller things.
There’s the yearly advice, like setting your thermostat between 68 and 70 degrees and cutting your shower time to reduce water heating.
But there are things you may not think about, like minimizing use of kitchen and bath ventilation fans.
“They suck air out of the house,” Watkins smiles. “If you just paid to heat it, you're just conditioning the attic.”
And fans that helped cool in the summer can keep you warm in the winter.
“If you have a reversible ceiling fan, you can actually set it on low and blow back down,” says Watkins.
Winter may be months away. But when it comes to the high cost of energy, you don't have be left out in the cold.
There’s more good news.
Electric companies like Georgia Power and Alabama Power switch to winter rates in October. Winter rates can be as much as 60-percent lower than summer rates. Atmos Energy rates remain the same.
For more energy saving tips, log onto the following websites.
Georgia Public Service Commission: What You Need to Know to Hold Down Home Utility Costs
Georgia Public Service Commission: Saving Energy...It's a Family Affair
U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Savers Heating and Cooling
