Summer

With temperatures rising and cooling systems running for longer periods of time, it's the ideal time to take control of your electric bills.

• Set your thermostat on the highest comfortable setting. If you're leaving for the day, turn it up a couple of degrees. Do not turn your cooling system off unless you'll be gone for an extended period of time.  
   
• Clean or change your filters monthly. Dirty filters can increase operating costs by 20 percent. Don't block registers and return vents with furniture or drapes.    
  
  
• Use a ceiling fan or portable fan to supplement your air conditioning. A fan can make you feel three to four degrees cooler (and only costs a half-cent per hour to operate) so you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher and save on cooling costs. Use in occupied rooms since fans cool people, not rooms. As a safety precaution, turn off ceiling fans when you leave your home.
  
  
• For central air conditioning systems, keep the fan switch on your thermostat in the "auto" position when cooling. This gives you better cooling and humidity control. Having the fan switch "on" continuously could cost $25 extra a month on your electric bill.  
  
  
• Close blinds, drapes and shades during the hottest part of the day. This keeps the sun's rays from heating your house.  
  
  
• If you suspect your air conditioning system is not cooling properly, have it checked promptly. A unit that is having operational problems can cause extremely high bills.
  
  
• If your air conditioning equipment is older and less efficient, compensate by being extra careful about temperature settings, hours of operation and filter condition.   
    
• Use your microwave or countertop appliances for cooking instead of the oven or stove.    
  
  
• Make sure your home is properly insulated. In existing homes, wall insulation may be too expensive to install, so concentrate on attic and floor insulation.
  
  
  • In Carolina:
    • Ceiling: R-30
    • Wall: R-11 to R-19 in frame wall
    • Floor: R-19 in floors
      
      
      

Winter

With winter temperatures falling and heating systems running for longer periods of time, it's the ideal time to take control of your electric bills.

• Keep your thermostat at the lowest comfortable setting. If you have a heat pump, adjust your thermostat in small increments to avoid the operation of the supplemental heat strip in your system. Energy consumption is much higher when the heat strip is in use. A steady setting on your heat pump thermostat produces constant comfort and minimizes the use of the less efficient resistance heat strip.

• Keep the fan on your central heating unit on "auto" position. Leaving the fan on "on" can add $25 a month to your heating costs.  

• Install the heating thermostat on an inside wall and away from windows and doors.   

• Clean or replace filters every month. Dirty filters can increase operating costs by 20 percent.   

• By setting your thermostat back 10 degrees at night (8-10 hours), you'll save 10 percent to 20 percent in heating costs. The lowered thermostat setting saves energy dollars by reducing the length of time the heating system operates throughout the night.
  

• Use ceiling fans in winter to distribute heat around a room.   

• Close your fireplace damper when not in use. Consider glass doors to help prevent heat loss when your heating system is on.   

• Make sure registers are not blocked by furniture or draperies.     

• Use insulated or heavy curtains on windows facing the north side of the house. Keep curtains and shades closed at night or on cloudy days.   

• When entertaining, lower the thermostat a degree or two before the guests arrive. That way, you won't overheat.