Jack Frost may be nipping at your nose this holiday weekend as temperatures along the Grand Strand drop dramatically, and the frigid weather will most likely make many want to turn up their heat.
In US, the average electric bill is around $130 a month, according to findenergy.com, and while the holiday season is already stressful for many there are some tips to know to help save money on your heat bill.
Santee Cooper said the change of weather causes a natural rise in electric bills.
“The biggest part of your bill comes from your heating and air. So, just keep that in mind as we’re going into this weather. You’re probably going to see higher bills,” Tracy Vreeland, Santee Cooper Public Relations, said.
Vreeland said if you do turn up your thermostat, be mindful.
“We recommend you keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower during the winter months, and that’s a little chilly for me. So, I kind of bump it up until about 70. But, if you do bump it up, do two degrees at a time so your HVAC isn’t working overtime,” she said.
Vreeland said the most important thing when dealing with cold weather is making sure your appliances, like your HVAC, are up-to-date and properly maintained.
She said it might be a little too late to get a tune-up on your HVAC, but she offers some alternative ways to prepare.
“Another thing is you can use LEDs around your home- they’re going to save you a lot of energy. Everybody is going to be getting ready for the holiday this weekend, so a lot of things you can do are use smaller appliances. Like your crockpots and your air fryers and your microwave to do a lot of the cooking. Or use your oven to do a couple of dishes at once,” she said.
Vreeland said if you use a space heater, use it for a small area and don't run it overnight. Not only can that be hazardous, but she said it will cost you more than running your HVAC system.
She also said you can wash your clothes in cold water to save money and can even change your water heater temperature. She suggests turning it down to 120 degrees.
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