Warm In, Winter Out Means More Comfort and Lower Bills
Stay energy efficient in the coldest months with tips from Starkville Utilities
When customers turn on the heat during cold weather, they can turn up the savings with simple, energy-saving strategies from Starkville Utilities’ Warm In/Winter Out initiative.
Given that home heating makes up nearly a third of the typical utility bill, improving energy efficiency definitely yields savings. From opening windows to let in the sun’s warmth to sealing drafty windows and doors, most steps are do-it-yourself and either no-cost or low-cost.
“Helping customers save money while getting the most from their utility service is central to our mission,” said Edward Kemp, general manager of Starkville Utilities. “Even small changes can make a big difference. That’s why we continuously look for ways to help customers manage their monthly bills more effectively.”
Easy savings start with your thermostat. Turning it down 7-10 degrees for up to eight hours can save up to 10% annually on energy bills. Adjust the thermostat manually when asleep or away from home or install a programmable thermostat to make the adjustments for you.
Another big money-saver is sealing ductwork leaks, one of the primary contributors to heat loss in the winter. Keep those dollars in your pocket by having ductwork inspected and sealed and change filters periodically to improve HVAC efficiency.
Consider these additional tips to improve energy efficiency and better manage energy costs:
- Sign up for SmartHub, Starkville Utilities’ online portal, to easily manage your energy usage, review past bills and set up usage alerts.
- Seal more, save more. Sealing cracks around doors, windows, pipes and electrical outlets with caulk, weather stripping and other products. Along with adding insulation, this can help homeowners save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs.
- Manage with Budget Billing. This option takes an average of your past 12 months’ consumption and allows you to pay that amount. While it won’t actually save energy or money, Buget Billing can help customers budget their monthly utility expenses.
- Get a free audit: Through our EnergyRight partnership with Tennessee Valley Authority, we offer free home energy audits and other energy-saving incentives and solutions for residential customers.
- Switch to energy-efficient lighting. The average household has about 70 lightbulbs. One Energy Star-certified LED lightbulb uses up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can save about $55 in electricity costs over its lifetime. They also last 15–25 times longer.
- Lower holiday lighting costs. Use energy-saving LED light strings to reduce holiday decorating expenses.
- Unplug electronics when away from home. Some appliances and devices use energy even when turned off.
- Use smart power strips with power-saving cords that cut off electricity to unused devices. Preventing standby energy waste can save $20–$50 annually per strip.
- Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances. By replacing old appliances with ENERGY STAR-certified models, such as refrigerators, washers and dryers, you can save $50–$150 annually per appliance.
- Seal your attic and basement. Weatherproof these spaces with insulation and air-sealing techniques to maintain indoor temperatures year-round.
- Close the fireplace damper when not in use. Aside from inviting pests into your home, they allow hot air to escape and cold air to sneak in. Considering hiring a pro to make sure your chimney is properly sealed.
- Cover pots and pans when cooking to help food cook faster and use less energy.
- Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
- Turn down your water heater temperature to the warm setting (120°F).
- Avoid streaming on game consoles, which use 10 times more power than streaming through a tablet or laptop. Streaming content with Energy Star-certified electronic equipment uses 25%–30% less energy than standard equipment.
“The more steps you take, the more you’ll save,” Kemp said. “Even small investments in energy efficiency can pay off over time in lower utility bills. Be sure to visit our website for more tips.”
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.