SWPPD Blog
Heating your home does not have to mean burning fuel. Electric systems are efficient, clean and increasingly practical. Heat pumps are the leading electric choice. They extract heat from outdoor air or from the ground and move it indoors. Because they transfer heat rather than generate it, they use far less energy than many older systems. Modern air-source models and ground-source or geothermal systems work well in a range of climates. Ductless mini-split systems heat individual rooms and avoid the energy loss that comes with ductwork. Radiant floor systems use thin mats under flooring to deliver gentle, even warmth. High-efficiency electric heaters are useful for zone heating in small spaces. Why consider electric heat? It removes indoor combustion and the risk of carbon monoxide. Maintenance is often simpler. When paired with clean electricity from your electric cooperative or with rooftop solar, electric heat can sharply lower your home’s carbon footprint. Before you switch, tighten insulation and seal air leaks so you do not heat the outdoors. Get an energy audit and a professional load calculation to size equipment correctly. Ask about incentives and rebates from your cooperative or state that can ease upfront costs. Check out hybrid systems, too. In some homes, a heat pump covers most of the year while a small backup system handles rare cold snaps. Electric heating is worth exploring if you want cleaner air, reliable comfort and long-term savings.
Winter weather can push your energy bills higher than you expect. Push back with a few smart devices that help you stay warm and cut electricity use. Many of them are easy to install and simple to use. Start with a programmable thermostat. These devices have all kinds of settings, but their most basic advantage is that they allow you to set your home’s temperature lower when you’re ready for bed or when you leave for work. Then you can schedule it to warm the house a bit before you wake up or get home from work. Some models can learn your routine and make adjustments automatically. Smart plugs are low cost and versatile. Plug lamps, humidifiers, space heaters and other electric devices into them. Then use an app on your phone to switch devices off when you do not need them. Timers and schedules stop devices from running unnecessarily and wasting electricity. An energy monitor shows which appliances draw the most power. Seeing those numbers helps you spot problems like an old freezer running in the basement or an inefficient water heater. Once you see the evidence of wasted electricity, you can unplug the appliance or replace it with one that’s energy efficient. Smart lighting paired with LED bulbs saves energy. You can sync your lights with an app on your phone to dim them or set schedules so lights turn off when you go to bed. You can also group lights by room so they all turn on when you use them and turn off when you leave the space. Even small changes can add up to energy savings, so start with one device and see if you notice a difference on your monthly bill.
Looking to save energy and still stay comfortable at home this fall? A few small tech upgrades could make a big difference. · Smart plugs can help you control when appliances and lamps are on — even when you’re not home. Set schedules or turn devices off from your phone. · Smart thermostats learn your habits and adjust the temperature automatically, saving energy without sacrificing comfort. Some models also give you detailed reports on your energy use. · LED strip lights are a trendy way to light up kitchens, bathrooms and even outdoor areas. They use little electricity and last a long time. · Smart power strips stop electronics like TVs, computers and game consoles from drawing power when they’re turned off. · Motion-sensor lights work indoors and out. Try them in hallways and entryways to prevent leaving lights on by accident. With daylight hours getting shorter and temperatures dropping, now’s a great time to explore smart tech that helps save money while keeping your home cozy.
It’s tempting to flip on the electric heat during the first chilly evening of autumn. If you can’t resist, keep the temperature low. The perfect thermostat setting in fall can keep you comfortable and lower your energy bills. Here’s a simple guide for September and October: Daytime: Set your thermostat between 68°F and 70°F for a cozy, energy-efficient home during the day. Nighttime: Lower the temperature to 60°F or 65°F while you sleep to save on heating costs without sacrificing comfort. When away: Set your thermostat to about 60°F if you’re out for several hours to avoid wasting energy heating an empty house. Use programmable thermostats: Automate these temperature changes to avoid manual adjustments and optimize savings. These ranges balance comfort with efficiency as outdoor temperatures cool. Adjust based on personal comfort and home insulation and consider layering clothes indoors for added warmth.
As summer fades and fall arrives, you may notice changes in your electric bill. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare: Cooling drops, heating rises: Your air conditioning use will decrease, but heating needs may start increasing, especially in late fall. Shorter daylight means more lighting: With fewer daylight hours, you’ll likely use indoor lights earlier in the evening. Switching to LED bulbs can help reduce the impact. Holiday decorating ups energy use: Halloween and early holiday lights can add to your electricity consumption. Using timers helps control costs. Appliance use shifts: You might start using appliances like ovens, space heaters or humidifiers more frequently. Understanding these changes could help you plan and manage your energy use better.
Even as the days get shorter, making the most of natural light can reduce your energy use and brighten your home: Open curtains and blinds: Let sunlight flood your rooms during the day to reduce the need for artificial lighting. Keep windows clean: Dirty windows block sunlight. Clean the panes inside and out to maximize light penetration. Choose light-colored furniture and paint: Light walls, floors and furnishings reflect daylight, helping rooms feel brighter. Arrange furniture near windows: Place work or reading areas close to windows to take advantage of natural light. Consider skylights or solar tubes: If possible, adding these features can bring in extra daylight year-round. Using natural daylight not only saves electricity but also improves mood and well-being. Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.
It’s almost leaf-blowing season. Before you power up your leaf-blower and other electrical outdoor tools, check your outlets and cords for safety. Here’s how: Inspect outlets: Look for cracked or broken covers and replace any that are damaged to prevent water from getting inside and behind them. Test GFCI outlets: Outdoor outlets should be ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Press the “test” and “reset” buttons monthly to ensure they’re working. If your home is older, contact a licensed electrician to find out if yours are GFCIs. Examine extension cords: Check cords for frays, cracks or exposed wires. Damaged cords should be replaced immediately. Use outdoor-rated cords: Only use cords labeled for outdoor use. They are designed to withstand weather conditions. Keep connections dry: Avoid plugging cords into outlets when raining or the ground is wet. Use outlet covers and keep cords elevated off wet ground. Regularly inspecting your outdoor outlets helps prevent hazards like shocks or fires. A little maintenance now can keep your fall projects safe and trouble-free.
If you want to keep the hot summer heat out of your air-conditioned home, keep the sunlight out. Close your blinds and shades, and your home will feel cooler and more comfortable. Any heat that comes in with the sunshine will compete with the cool air your central air conditioning system is pumping out, making your rooms feel hotter and tempting you to lower the thermostat. Closing curtains and other window coverings during daylight hours will save your a/c from having to work so hard, which could make it operate more efficiently and even extend its life.
Your family might use your covered outdoor porch or patio more often this summer if you keep the temperature out there cooler by installing a ceiling fan. Outdoor ceiling fans come with ratings like “damp” or “wet” that indicate what kind of climate—like humid or rainy—they can operate in safely. Never install an indoor fan on your outdoor porch; it’s not safe. Instead, choose one specifically made for outdoor use with all-weather blades, corrosion- and rust-resistant paint finishes, and a motor casing featuring a waterproof seal. Overhead fans are a great addition to a porch, sunroom or even a garage. Even in outdoor rooms with extra sunlight, a fan can circulate the air, making anyone sitting or standing nearby feels cool and comfortable.
The bathroom is one of the few places in the home where electrical appliances and water have a great chance to meet—and a great chance to cause electrical shock or death. If you have kids, the bathroom can be a room of hazards—electrical or otherwise— waiting to happen. But it doesn’t have to be. Try these tips to dampen the danger: Use a bathmat with a non-skid bottom on the floor and use a non-slip mat or decals on the floor of the tub. Keep medications and vitamins in their original containers to avoid confusion and always choose child-resistant caps. Keep medications and cleaning supplies locked away if small children are around. Make a storage space under the counter and out of the way for hair dryers, curling irons and other electrical appliances that could be hazardous with water contact. Educate children on the dangers of mixing water and electricity. Use nightlights in the hallway and bathroom for easy bathroom access at night. Don’t leave children unattended during bath time. If you have toddlers, use toilet seat locks to prevent drowning. Check the temperature of bath water and fully fill the tub before putting children in. Tap water can instantly scald if you let it run too hot. Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to guard against burns but keep bathwater at 100 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Use only electrical appliances or cords that bear the label of an independent testing laboratory like Underwriters Laboratories.
