CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Whether you primarily use natural gas or electric power, the cost of heating is rising this winter season.
The coldest nights are still ahead. January is typically when Charlotte sees its coldest temperature annually. The average nighttime low in Charlotte is 32 degrees.
Here are things you can do to save money on your heating bill
Lower the thermostat
"Every degree you can lower that thermostat is going to save you money," Duke Energy Spokesperson Jeff Brooks explained. "And your air conditioning and heating unit is the biggest user of energy in your home."
Take advantage of the natural greenhouse effect in your home
"Open your windows on the sunny side of the house and let that warm sunlight in during the day," Brook said. "But make sure you close those blinds or curtains in the evening to make sure that you’re keeping that warm air in."
Checking for leaks will keep that air from escaping.
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"A little bit of weather stripping or caulking can save you a ton on your energy bill," he said.
Run your ceiling fan
Fans are not just for the summer months.
"By turning that ceiling fan to a clockwise direction what you’re doing is helping to pull that warm air – which is going to rise to the ceiling – back down and into the living space," Brooks said.
Clean your HVAC unit
If you have electric, centralized heating, the same intakes and vents you use for summer air conditioning will be trying to circulate heat in your home.
"A dirty air filter will increase your energy usage, which increases your cost, and it can shorten the life of the unit," Brooks explained.
Lower the temperature of your hot water heater
In a home, a hot water heater is the second-largest consumer of electricity Lowering its water temperature no higher than 120 degrees will help you save money.
Turn those lights off
It's good advice year-round but especially when the nights are the longest and the sunsets are the earliest: Turn off unnecessary lights.
"One strand of lights or one light bulb isn’t going to make a big difference on your bill, but when you multiply by all the lights that you use in your home, that really does add up," Brooks said.
Need consistent billing?
Utility companies such as Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas offer budget billing, which allows evenly distributed payments over a 12 month period.