In the first half of February, Iowa experienced persistently frigid weather over the course of several days. Our furnaces were working harder, and many of us used space heaters, electric blankets, fireplaces and other supplemental heating sources in addition to running the furnace to keep warm. Our water heaters were working hard, too.
February was a brutally cold month, and space heating and water heating are the two biggest drivers of energy use in most households. It can account for over 50% of a home’s energy use during the winter months. This is why Pella Cooperative Electric is reminding you of the temps we experienced last month so you’re not surprised when you get your next bill in a few days. Your March bill will be for the electricity you used in February and will most likely be higher than your January bill.
How can the co-op help me?
Budget Billing: Pella Cooperative Electric offers budget billing, which keeps monthly electric bills predictable and manageable. Please contact the co-op at 641-628-1040 to sign up for this free option that averages electric use over a 12-month rolling period to avoid big fluctuations in monthly bills.
Energy Efficiency Tips: We’re here to help our members use energy wisely. Check out our web tools to help you learn how to cut those energy costs in the home.
Payment Assistance: If you have difficulty paying your bills in full, please contact us at 641-628-1040 to review payment assistance resources and discuss payment options. Locally owned and governed by the member-consumers we serve, Pella Cooperative Electric is here to help. View more info here.
What can I do to reduce my energy use during the winter?
Here are some helpful energy efficiency tips that can lower your energy use in the winter and will help keep energy bills down:
- Set thermostats to as low as comfortably possible. Programmable thermostats are very helpful in controlling the temperature.
- Turn the temperature on water heaters down to 120 degrees F or lower, which will also prevent scalding.
- Open curtains on sunny days to use radiant heat energy from the sun.
- Space heaters will increase electric use unless they are used to heat the room that is being occupied; close doors and vents in unused rooms and turn down the thermostat considerably.
- Use ceiling fans in a clockwise rotation so they push warm air back down.
- Keep the fireplace damper closed when not in use.
- Use smaller appliances like microwaves and slow cookers instead of the oven.
- Find and seal air leaks around doors, windows and outlets.
- Make sure adequate insulation is installed in the attic to keep the heat in. Find the proper RValue of insulation at energystar.gov.