In case you missed it, temperatures this month in the DMV–and across the country–have proven to be unseasonably cold. With snow remaining on the ground throughout the area from two weeks ago, this week’s frigid temperatures throughout the region broke records with wind chills at zero and negative five.
Prince George’s County Council Chair Jolene Ivey recently told NBC News4: “we’re not having the natural thawing effect that you would normally have.”
Just as important as preparing yourself for cold temps and icy roads is keeping your home protected. Drafty rooms and frozen pipes can be both uncomfortable and expensive.
The District’s Public Service Commission (DCPSC), a governmental agency responsible for regulating landline telephone, electricity and gas companies, offers tips homeowners are usually not aware of how to keep costs down during what could be a long, cold winter–especially for this region’s older, non-insulated homes.
“In D.C., a lot of the housing is very old; I have a home in D.C. that’s almost 100 years old and there’s no insulation in the walls and so naturally, my bills are going to be higher,” said DCPSC Chairman Emile C. Thompson. “We have to ask ourselves, ‘what small steps can I make to try outside of tearing out the walls and putting in insulation? What kind of small stuff can I do to try to control my energy usage?’”
Let the Sunshine in and Unplug
A great way to bring in more heat is by maximizing the amount of sunlight that comes into your windows by simply opening the curtains.
“I know a lot of us have drapes or we have blinds, which are good, but when it’s cold outside and you have a nice sunny day like today, it’s great to open those blinds, open those drapes and let that sun come in,” said Thompson. “Let your window act as a magnifying glass and provide some additional ambient heating.”
Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable
There’s always that one aunty’s house you visit and have to keep your coat on, but she’s actually on to something–within reason, according to Thompson.
During frigid temperatures like this past week, he recommends keeping the thermostat around 68 to 72 degrees in order to keep your pipes from freezing. But when you can stand to exchange a lower thermostat setting for a few extra layers of clothing, your bank account will thank you.
“When a temperature is this cold, your [HVAC] system is going to run until it hits whatever temperature you set it at and it’s going to be working very hard,” said Thompson. “At night time when you’re under the blankets, and when you’re not at home, 62-65 is the appropriate range. Push yourself to be a little uncomfortable.”
Instead of cranking your heat to 75 degrees, Thompson recommends substituting a high thermostat with a small space heater or blanket–or both. Heating a small, confined area is more practical and will use less energy than heating the entire house.
If you do decide to keep your thermostat on 75, just say no to using a space heater so you don’t further increase your energy use and costs.
If you can’t get comfortable being on the cool side during the winter, there are other ways to save your electric bill from skyrocketing year round. Instead of washing your favorite shirt for tomorrow’s event, find another one and wait until you have enough clothes for a full load. You can also save money every season by unplugging electronics.
“People don’t realize that even though you have an electronic plugged in and it’s off, it’s still using some energy,” said Thompson. “Of course, there’s certain things that you need plugged in all the time, but if you’re not using it, just unplug it.”
Twice a year, DCPSC works with the Office of Consumer Services to hold a weatherization kit giveaway in the winter and summer which includes items like weather stripping for doorways.
Kits are no longer available for the winter, but instructional videos, and an extensive list of resources are available on DCPSC.org/winterreadydc.
Need assistance with your utility bill in the District? Contact DCPSC for assistance and discount programs here.
Need assistance in Prince George’s County? Contact Department of Housing and Community Development Maryland WholeHome Energy and Repair.
“If we can reduce our consumption, that inherently lowers our bill,” said Thompson. “We think it’s important that residents know how to reduce energy and ensure residents have the agency to control it.”
Five steps to weatherize your home:
- Install window insulation shrink kits. This insulation film provides a 12.2% energy savings.
- Apply caulk around draft windows. Caulking helps weatherize old windows with cracks.
- Check, clean or replace HVAC filters. Dirty filters make your system work harder and waste energy.
- Add weatherstripping to your windows and doors. Weatherstripping can provide a 5-10% energy savings.
Install foam switch and outlet gaskets. Minimizing air leaks can reduce your heating and cooling by as much as 20%.
