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CPU Offers Energy-Saving Tips This Winter Season

Simple steps maximize comfort while minimizing bills

As cooler temperatures arrive in the Mississippi Delta, Clarksdale Public Utilities is offering tips to help customers save energy and money when a chill is in the air.

One easy and effective way is to follow suggested thermostat settings, which keep the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures as close as possible thereby minimizing heat loss, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Experts recommend setting winter thermostats at 68 degrees.

“When the thermometer drops, the first thing we want to do is crank up the heat,” said Curtis D. Boschert, CPU general manager. “But it takes more energy to keep a home comfortable when it is 25 degrees outside than when temperatures are more moderate. The bigger the difference, the more energy is used, which can affect your energy costs.”

The DOE also says that heating systems use more energy than any other system in the home — making up nearly 30% of the typical utility bill. But in addition to following recommended thermostat settings, that increase can be offset by taking a few simple and inexpensive steps to make your home more energy efficient.

For example, adding caulk or weatherstripping to seal cracks around doors and windows can keep the warm air in and the cold air out. Other steps include:

• Tune it up. Schedule a professional heating system checkup to maximize efficiency if you haven’t already done so.
• Keep it clean. Check air and furnace filters every 30 days or as required by the type of filter. Clean or replace them as needed.
• Clear a path. Do not block heat registers or air returns with curtains or furniture.
• Maximize efforts. Keep all doors and windows closed when the heat is on, and open drapes to let warm sunlight in during the day. Close drapes at night to reduce heat loss.
• Adjust direction. Ensure fans are turning the right way for the season. In winter, fans should be run at a low speed clockwise to help keep cold air from blowing downward.
• Bundle up. Layer with sweaters or blankets to feel cozy and warm.
• Conserve hot water. Wrap your electric water heater with a water heater blanket and set the thermostat to 120 degrees or medium.
• Shut it down. Close the damper on fireplaces when not in use. If away from home for several days, decrease the thermostat to 55 degrees to keep your heating system from using unneeded energy.
• Stop those vampires. Unplug electronics when away from home. Some appliances and devices use energy even when turned off.

More tips, videos and guides to help put these ideas to work can be found at the DOE’s Energy Saver website.

“In addition to following our Simple Steps initiative, we also encourage customers to sign up for our flexible and easy payment options,” said Boschert. “These convenient choices are designed to help better manage energy costs and ease the strain on household budgets.”

Clarksdale Public Utilities is a municipally owned utility serving approximately 6,800 homes and businesses in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Its mission is to safely provide sustainable electric, water and wastewater services in a reliable and courteous manner by well-trained team members, committed to top quality, efficient operations, competitive rates and the vitality of the community.