BUNDLE UP

Extreme weather in Texas is typically associated with stifling, hot summers like the one we experienced this year.

However, as many North Texans know, the winters can be just as brutal, and in some cases more unpredictable than the summer months. As a reminder of just how harsh the weather swings can be in the Lone Star State, we only have to look back at the havoc caused by 2021’s bluster, which produced days of sub-freezing temperatures that drastically increased electric usage and bills.

And whether the coming winter will be foretold by hordes of summer crickets or the Old Farmer’s Almanac, wise electric consumers should heed the following recommendations and tips given by United’s energy experts and use them now in preparing for periods that will surely get colder as the days get shorter—taking advance measures to counter higher than normal energy usage during winter months.

Heating Systems

Heating systems generally contribute up to  58 percent of a home’s overall energy usage. As such, it is important to get central heating systems maintained on a yearly basis—a sure way to protect the investment and the expense made in operating a system. Having a professional technician look at the unit will help ensure it is running as efficiently as possible. United offers an HVAC tune-up rebate to help offset the cost of the maintenance, with up to $100 per unit, per home.

If a home is all-electric, heat pumps are preferable in most climates, because they easily cut electricity use by 50 percent when compared with electric resistance heating, according to the Department of Energy.

In addition, United Energy Solutions Specialist Ryan Hoerner said that keeping the thermostat set to 68 degrees will decrease energy consumption and should help keep the home at a comfortable temperature. Each degree thermostats are raised above 68 can add 5 percent to a monthly electric bill.

“Having a programmable thermostat, or better yet a Wi-Fi-capable thermostat, can help control your unit’s energy consumption more efficiently,” Hoerner said. “In addition, keeping your air filters clean will allow proper air flow through the HVAC system,  which helps  it run more economically.  We don’t recommend the use of space heaters because they are generally very costly to operate. A typical space heater uses 1,500 watts, which can easily add another $160 to an electric bill if it is operated 24 hours a day for an entire month.”

Attic Space

–Insulation–

Attic insulation pays for itself by mitigating the effects of any weather extreme—hot or cold.  It helps keep homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. United recommends that an attic insulation value of R-38 is ideal for residential applications, which can be applied as 17 inches of blown fiberglass, 10 inches of cellulose, (2) 6” rolled batts, or 5.5 inches of spray foam. The cooperative also recommends adding insulation and weather-stripping to any attic doors. A home’s attic has the potential to be the largest source of energy loss in a home. Heat rises, so having a well-insulated attic prevents heat loss. This decreases the runtime of a central heating system, and thus lowers  energy consumption, while wasting less energy.

–Duct Connections–

Air ducts are often overlooked, but they are a leading source of air loss and wasted energy in HVAC systems.  Air loss from duct work year-round causes an HVAC unit to run longer to cool or heat a home.  United recommends that homeowners ensure mastic is applied and checked at all connection points. Mastic is a liquid that is applied like paint and that hardens when dry, forming a non-permeable seal against air loss. United energy experts suggest its use on all duct connections at the air handler or plenum.

–Recessed Lighting–

Recessed lighting is another potential area of air infiltration in a home’s energy envelope that typically goes unnoticed. This type of lighting is recessed into the attic, and if such a fixture is not sealed properly, it will allow air to penetrate around imperfections in the ceiling opening. Adding light fixture covers or installing new LED enclosed lights can significantly reduce air infiltration and conditioned air loss.

Water Heater

An electric water heater is estimated to account for 16 percent of a residence’s total energy consumption. Keeping a water heater’s temperature set at 125 degrees or lower will minimize the standby energy loss and runtime.  Any water heaters that are located in an unconditioned space like a garage, attic or an outside closet should have a water heater blanket added as extra insulation—which can reduce heat loss by an estimated 45 percent. As an additional energy-saving measure, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators should be used to reduce water heater run times.

Air Infiltration

Air infiltration is a silent, but costly, energy efficiency killer. A lot of air loss goes unseen throughout a home, unless homeowners remain vigilant. Common areas for air infiltration include:

–Plugs and light switches–

Adding foam gaskets behind plugs or light switches on perimeter walls will prevent air leakage in those areas.  Also adding childproof plugs will help keep the air from funnelling through the plug receptacles.

–AC Vents–

It is not uncommon to find a gap between the duct boot and sheetrock when an HVAC vent is removed from a wall or the ceiling. Simply applying some caulking or silicone to seal the two together can remove this source of energy waste. Such gaps still allow air get in your home during the summer months and escape your home during the winter months.
 

–Plumbing entry points–

Anything that penetrates your walls or floors and allows air in or out of the home’s energy envelope is a tunnel for energy losses. Using spray foam to seal around pipes and gaps will create an air barrier to keep conditioned air where it belongs.

–Fireplace–

Fireplaces are great aesthetically, but they do not contribute much when it comes to energy efficiency. As hot air rises within the fireplace, it easily escapes the home through the open flue and chimney. This not only creates more work for the central heating unit, but due to thermodynamics, it actually accelerates the amount of conditioned heat being drawn from the home.  Even when the fireplace is not in use, most flues never completely seal due to their design. This allows air to seep out through the chimney even when it is not in use. Investing in an inflatable chimney balloon can help create an air dam when the fireplace is not in use, which helps contain heat.

–Windows and doors–

Depending on their type, windows can be another significant source of air infiltration. To reduce heat loss in the wintertime, there are some simple things homeowners can do. Surprisingly enough, closing drapes and curtains, or shutters and blinds at night can greatly reduce heat losses and cold air infiltration. United also recommends caulking around  window frames, especially where any cracks or gaps are evident. If windows or window panes rattle when the wind blows, this is a sure sign windows are permitting air to flow into and out of the home. Foam window insulation strips can be added to better seal the window frames, and a variety of window insulation kits are available to accomplish almost any challenge, including sealing the window entirely.  It is important to check all door seals, too, ensuring there are no visible signs of daylight creeping in around the edges. Any weather-stripping that is old, weathered or cracked should be replaced.

Lighting

Using traditional incandescent bulbs can be four times more costly than using more efficient light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs. Choosing LEDs as a residential lighting source will greatly reduce energy consumption.

The same goes for Christmas lighting. The type of bulb used for decorations will make a big difference in overall holiday energy consumption.

“LED holiday lights use as little as 5 percent of the energy normally consumed by their incandescent counterparts and they don’t get hot, which is a fire safety plus,” United Energy Solutions Manager Seth Rosser said. “And using a timer along with those LED holiday lights will maximize those energy efficiencies even more. Any energy savings our members can achieve is a gift, no matter what season they receive it in,” he said.

The days are getting shorter, and winter is sure to return. Wise members won’t let winter give them the cold shoulder this year.  United has a robust Energy Innovation Rebate Program to assist members with a variety of energy-saving upgrades.

Members who call their nearest cooperative office and request a free home energy audit now can get a jump on areas that may need improvement in their home’s energy envelope before the next big chill arrives.  

Thousands of United members have already benefited from the free program, which is administered by the cooperative’s knowledgeable and trusted team of energy experts.