November 4, 2021
A chill in the air means it’s time once again to prepare homes for winter weather. As temperatures continue dropping across the state, Starkville Utilities wants to help customers stay comfortable and manage heating costs with its Warm In, Winter Out initiative.
“It’s normal for heating bills to rise during cold months. That’s why we’re reminding customers about strategies they can use to control heating expenses while staying comfortable,” said Terry Kemp, Starkville Utilities general manager. “Our Warm In, Winter Out initiative provides energy-saving tips that can add up to significant savings over the course of the winter season.”
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, customers can save up to 10% a year on energy bills by following recommended thermostat settings. For winter months, that means setting thermostats at 68°F while you’re awake and setting it lower while asleep or away from home.
Heating costs typically make up more than 40% of a utility bill, so it also pays to add caulk or weatherstripping to seal cracks around windows and doors to keep heated air inside.
Customers who use space heaters should remember these units heat more effectively in smaller, enclosed rooms where people spend most of their time. Space heaters also cause the majority of fatal house fires, so safety instructions should be followed to prevent fire hazards.
Here are more tips from Starkville Utilities to improve energy efficiency and lower heating bills this winter:
Take these steps to protect pipes during freezing weather:
“Helping customers manage energy costs and stay comfortable is the goal of our Warm In, Winter Out program,” said Kemp. “Most of these strategies are simple and either low-cost or free to implement, so it’s definitely worth it to see the difference they make on energy bills.”
Customers may visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s website at www.energy.gov and select “Save Energy, Save Money” for information about improving the energy-efficiency of homes.
Starkville Utilities is a public utility serving 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville, Mississippi as well as Mississippi State University. Its mission is to supply safe, reliable, and cost-effective electric and water service of superior quality and value that improves the lives of its customers.