Crisp fall air and cooler temperatures are here. Your energy usage can creep up quickly when heating your home, especially if it has electric heat or drafty areas — and we want to help you save money and energy. Taking time for a few quick adjustments around the house can help keep it cozy and make your electric bill more manageable. Check out these fall efficiency tips:
CLAIM YOUR FREE VIRTUAL ENERGY SAVINGS WALKTHROUGH
Cost: Free | Time: 60 Minutes
Book a free virtual walkthrough with an Ohio Power energy advisor via smartphone or tablet to find out what is driving your energy usage and receive personalized savings recommendations for your home.
REVERSE YOUR CEILING FANS
Cost: Free | Time: 5 Minutes
Set your ceiling fans to turn clockwise on low. This helps push warm air trapped at the ceiling back down into your living space.
ADJUST YOUR THERMOSTAT
Cost: Free | Time: 1 Minute
Set your thermostat to 68 degrees, or whatever setting is safe and comfortable for your family. During winter, your furnace is a major source of energy consumption. Setting your thermostat even a few degrees lower can help save energy and reduce bills.
SWAP FILTERS AND UNBLOCK VENTS
Cost: Free | Time: 5 Minutes
Change your furnace filter regularly and keep your vents clear of furniture or rugs so warm air can circulate properly throughout your home.
SEAL AIR LEAKS AND BLOCK DRAFTS
Cost: Low | Time: 30 Minutes
Inspect window frames and exterior doors for cold air leaks. Applying low-cost caulk or weatherstripping can help reduce heating costs by up to 25%.
LEVERAGE NATURAL SUNLIGHT
Cost: Free or Low | Time: 5 Minutes
Open drapes and blinds on south-facing windows during sunny days to naturally warm your rooms. Close them as the sun sets to trap that heat inside.
CHECK INSULATION
Cost: Varies | Time: 60 Minutes
Many homeowners overlook the attic, garage and wall insulation. Proper insulation helps keep warm air inside. An average homeowner can save about 15% on heating costs, according to ENERGY STAR. Heating and water heating are the two biggest contributors to winter energy bills, so small efficiency improvements can lead to meaningful savings.
Free Ohio Power Tools and Savings Programs
Take advantage of these programs and tools designed to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save on your electric bills:
- Energy Dashboard: Customers can access this tool by logging into their Ohio Power account. It provides a personalized view of energy usage, helping you identify exactly where and when you’re using the most power.
- Time-of-Use Tariff: This electric rate is tiered based on the time of day residential customers use power. Usage during off-peak periods is charged at a reduced rate, with a higher charge occurring during on-peak hours. The more energy usage that you can shift to off-peak times, the more potential for savings you can achieve.
- Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Tariff: For residential customers with a plug-in electric vehicle, this tariff offers a reduced rate on the distribution component of their bill for charging during off-peak times. To enroll in this rate, you must have a smart meter and charge a PEV or hybrid vehicle at your home.
Payment Assistance Options
To help budget for seasonal changes, eligible customers can enroll in the Average Monthly Payment (AMP) plan, which spreads the costs of heating and cooling over the year with no settle-up month.
Additional assistance programs are available at OhioPowerCo.com/Assistance.
