Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber Of Commerce: Autumn Prep Paves Way For Sweater-Weather Savings

Press release from Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce:

October 06, 2021

Autumn prep paves way for sweater-weather savings 
PPL Electric Utilities offers fall preparation tips to save energy this winter

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (Oct. 5, 2021) — As much as many hate to admit it, before long, the temperatures will start to dip and the first snowflakes will arrive. 

Until then, these crisp fall days are perfect for a little preparation and planning to make sure you and your home are ready for the colder months. 

Did you know that heating a home uses more energy than any other system in the house, making up about 42% of your annual utility bill? Getting a jumpstart, before winter arrives, can help you stay comfortable when it’s cold and squirrel away savings for the spring. Here are five tips you can use to get started today.

·         Dust off the furnace: A heating system that isn’t maintained properly can make for a cold winter. Schedule service for your system now, before you need to use it. Additionally, a dirty filter will decrease airflow and waste energy, so set a reminder on your phone to clean or replace furnace filters once a month, or as recommended. Be sure to clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators as needed, and make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting or drapes.

·         Love the layered look: You can save up to 1% in heating costs for every degree you dial back your thermostat. Consider snuggling into a sweater at home and layer on natural fibers to keep in the warmth. We also lose heat from our heads, so pull up that hoodie or rock your favorite beanie hat. Additionally, keep plenty of blankets on the couch for snuggling and staying warm while watching the game or binging your favorite television shows or movies. 

·         Give yourself a better view: Be sure to remove window air-conditioning units, or tightly cover them on the inside. Leaving them in place or without protection invites cold air into your house, which could drive up your heating costs. 

·         Reverse thinking: A ceiling fan can provide a cooling breeze in the summer, but did you know that the direction they spin can be reversed in colder months to better circulate warm air? By changing its direction to clockwise, and operating it at a low speed, your summer cooling device will begin to force warm air back toward occupied space, allowing you to lower your thermostat setting by three to five degrees. 

This press release was produced by Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.