NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Temperatures are forecast to drop to the single digits next week and this will cause your home heat to work overtime. To save you money News 2 spoke with Middle Tennessee Electric to learn the best ways to conserve heat and save money.
According to Amy Byers, the Public Relations Coordinator for MTE, the best way to reduce your electric bill in the winter is to lower your thermostat a little.
“Some people don’t like it when we say, well you need to set it at 68 or whatever, they’re like that’s too cold, so what we try to encourage people is to turn it down at least a degree or two, whatever you’re comfortable doing. Every degree you lower that thermostat you’re going to save 3% on your electric bill,” Byers told News 2.
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Another way is to keep all your exterior doors closed as much as possible, including your garage door. If you have drafty doors and windows you can use a blanket or towel to cover the cracks.
Byers said another way to give your heater a break is to let as much sun as possible.
“If it’s during the day and the sun is out, open the blinds on the sunny side of the house so that the sun comes in and heats up your home. Of course, make sure you’ve got them closed on the side where the sun’s not shining in, or once the sun goes down make sure you’re closing all that because you don’t want cold air seeping through the leaky windows” said Byers.
Lastly, she said to avoid using a space heater unless it’s an emergency. Byers said they are extremely inefficient.
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