Washington-area residents are experiencing a significantly colder winter than last year through the first few weeks of the season.
Pepco offers programs to help customers save energy and money, and seek assistance with their energy bills. Based on heating degree data, heating systems will need to run 117% more in December compared with November, likely leading to increased energy use and potentially higher bills.
Comparing December 2023 to December 2024, heating systems needed to run 20% more year over year. The forecast indicates temperatures will remain very cold through January, making these energy-saving tips especially important for managing energy use:
- Check your thermostat. If health permits, set it to 68 degrees. For each degree you lower the thermostat, you can save up to 5% on heating costs. Consider investing in a smart thermostat that can connect to your mobile devices to help you monitor energy usage.
- Adjust your blinds. Keep blinds up during the day to capture the sun’s radiant heat. Close blinds and curtains after sunset to keep cold air out and heat in.
- Install energy-efficient light bulbs. Energy-efficient LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy than standard bulbs.
- Insulate your home. Trap escaping air from windows and doors using caulking or weather-stripping around leaky areas, install storm windows in winter, and close chimney flues.
- Dust or vacuum radiators. Dust and grime impede heat flow. Keeping radiators clean helps maintain efficiency.
- Maintain home heating equipment. Have heating equipment serviced periodically by a professional.
Pepco also offers programs to help customers manage their bills, including:
- Payment arrangements of up to 12 months for eligible residential customers with past-due balances. Customers can make a down payment on the amount owed and pay the rest through installments in addition to their regular monthly bill.
- Budget billing, which provides a predictable monthly payment based on electricity usage from the past 12 months.
- High usage alerts, which notify customers when their usage is trending higher than normal to help manage overall energy use, and energy management tips to help customers save money now and on future bills.
For a complete list of energy assistance and efficiency programs, visit Pepco’s bill support page at pepco.com/BillSupport. Customers can also contact Pepco Customer Care at 202-833-7500 for additional help.
To learn more about Pepco, go to The Source, Pepco’s online newsroom.