Laundry can be a bigger winter energy user than people expect, but small adjustments save money without sacrificing cleanliness. Some rules of thumb: · Modern detergents work well in cold water, and many loads come out just as clean. · Wash full loads and select the right water level. For lightly soiled items, choose a quick or eco cycle. · Use high-spin settings to remove more water and shorten drying time. Dryer balls help separate clothing so warm air circulates better. · Clean the lint trap every cycle and check the vent hose for buildup. A clogged vent extends dryer run time and raises fire risk. · Time laundry for mid-day when the home may already be warmer or when off-peak electricity rates apply.

An electrical outlet that’s slightly warm to the touch is not uncommon during heavy use, but it can also be a sign of danger. · Start by unplugging any devices that are using it, and then feel the outlet again. If the warmth disappears, the problem may be the appliance or a loose plug. Test the device on another outlet. · If the outlet remains warm with nothing plugged in, do not use it. That suggests loose wiring, a failing receptacle or an overloaded circuit. Call an electrician to diagnose the trouble. · Never use extension cords or ungrounded adapters as a long-term fix. Limit high-draw appliances to dedicated circuits and never run space heaters from a power strip. · If you see discoloration, smell burning or notice sparks, shut off power to the circuit and call a licensed electrician.

Even if you had a tech come to your home for a pre-season heating check, you should keep on top of simple HVAC maintenance to up your chances of making it through the winter without any emergency repairs. Cold snaps in February put heavy demand on heating systems, and small issues can quickly become big emergencies. Following a brief maintenance checklist can save money and prevent expensive, late-night calls.  · Begin with filters. Replace disposable filters or clean reusable ones. A clean filter reduces strain and improves airflow. · Check vents and registers to make sure furniture or curtains aren’t blocking airflow. Restricted airflow makes the system run longer and increases wear. · Inspect visible ductwork where you can access it. Seal loose connections with foil HVAC tape or mastic. Leaky ducts waste heated air and force the furnace to run more to maintain temperature. · Clear any snow or ice from outdoor heat-pump units and keep a three-foot clearance around them. Unusual noises or persistent burning smells are early signs of trouble. Call a licensed HVAC technician before a minor issue becomes a failure.

This Valentine’s season, show your appliances a little love and they’ll return the favor in lower bills and fewer surprises. Start with the refrigerator: Vacuum the coils every six months, check door gaskets for tight seals, set the fridge at 37 to 40 degrees, and then lower the freezer to 0 degrees. This will help the appliance run more efficiently and use less power. Next, turn your attention to your clothes dryer. Clean the lint trap after every load and inspect the vent and duct for buildup; restricted airflow makes dryers run longer and raises fire risk. Consider having a technician clean the exhaust duct annually. Don’t forget the water heater. Lowering the thermostat to 120 degrees and flushing a few gallons annually to remove sediment improves efficiency and extends life. Your heating system has been keeping you warm all winter; give it some TLC by replacing HVAC filters regularly. A clogged filter forces the system to work harder. Finally, make some small fixes; they add up. Tighten loose electrical connections, replace cracked power cords and run a quick check for unusual noises or smells. These are easy tasks that prevent breakdowns and save energy. They can also keep your home safe and comfortable. Think of it as home self-care that pays dividends.

Winter air is dry, and dry air affects how warm a home feels. Low indoor humidity makes people feel colder, even when the thermostat setting is the same as it always has been. When you feel cold, you’ll crank up the heat. And that can lead to higher energy bills. Suggestion: Adding a modest amount of humidity to the air. This can make rooms feel warmer without raising the thermostat. Use a single-room humidifier for sleeping areas or a whole-house humidifier attached to your HVAC if you already have one. Aim for relative humidity between 30 and 40 percent in winter to avoid condensation on windows and minimize mold risk. Adjusting the humidity won’t stop heat loss on its own, though. As you deal with the humidity, seal windows and doors that can let warm air escape from the house. Add insulation to your attic. Caulk gaps around windows and doors, weatherstrip drafty attic-hatch covers and insulate exposed pipes and attic access points. These measures reduce the load on humidifiers and heaters. And simple habits help: Close shades at night to reduce radiant heat loss, keep interior doors open to let warm air circulate and use ceiling fans on low after reversing the direction the blades spin. They should push warm air down.

Holiday cooking, decorating and hosting mean using more electricity in November and December than usual. Still, a few easy habits can help keep energy use in check while you enjoy the season. Cook smart. Use lids and match pot size to the burner. Use residual oven heat by turning it off a few minutes before a dish is done. Cook multiple dishes together when possible. A slow cooker or pressure cooker is great for sides and keeps the oven free for the turkey. Manage refrigeration. Do not leave the door open while you hunt for items. Chill drinks in a cooler so guests do not crowd the fridge. If you will have a lot of extra food, organize a staging area so people can find what they need quickly. Decorate efficiently. Replace old string lights with LEDs and put them on timers or smart plugs. Use indoor timers so lights turn off at bedtime. Consider battery-operated candles for mantel displays. Control heat. When cooking fills the kitchen with warmth, lower the thermostat a few degrees. Close off unused rooms and focus heat where guests gather. Encourage layering and cozy throws rather than higher thermostat settings. Unplug. Unused chargers and appliances still draw power when plugged in. If you stream music or video, pause or stop devices when not in use. Fill up. Run the dishwasher and washing machine only with full loads and use eco or air-dry cycles if your appliances have them.

Winter storms can cut power quickly. A ready kit reduces stress and keeps your household safe until power returns. Include these essentials in a weather-resistant bin: • Flashlights or headlamps for each person, plus extra batteries. • Portable phone chargers, a car charger and at least one fully charged power bank. • Extra blankets, warm clothing, hats and gloves stored together for quick access. • Three days of nonperishable food and bottled water. Add a manual can opener and some ready-to-eat meals. • A first aid kit, essential prescription medicines and copies of critical medical information. • A battery-powered radio, whistle and a small fire extinguisher. Also, if the power goes out in your home, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to protect your food. Turn off or unplug electronics to avoid damage from surges when power returns. If you run a generator, keep it outdoors and well away from windows and vents. Next, think about heat and pipes. Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air circulate to exposed plumbing. If a pipe freezes, use a hair dryer or warm towels—never an open flame—to thaw it. Finally, plan for your family’s medical needs. If someone relies on a powered medical device, call your utility in advance to learn about backup power options and restoration priority. Share your plan with a neighbor or family member who can check in during a storm. Review and refresh your kit twice a year. Replace expired food and medicine, recharge power banks and check batteries. Label containers and store them where everyone can reach them in the dark.

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.