Winterize Your Home

Oncor suggests ways to conserve this winterOncor -

Now that temperatures are falling and a chill is in the air, Oncor reminds consumers to conserve this winter by taking some simple steps

• One of the most cost-effective ways to reduce energy bills is to seal holes, cracks and openings in your home and add insulation to stop the flow of heat through the walls and ceiling. Visit www.takealoadofftexas.com for more information.
• Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter. Install a programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system. Programmable thermostats can be set back when you are asleep or away from home to help save energy.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. CFLs last longer and are up to 70 percent more efficient than incandescent light bulbs. Look for the Make Your Mark campaign signs in local home improvement stores to save up to 70 percent off the cost of CFLs.
• Oncor is participating in a statewide program to encourage consumers to replace 1.5 million incandescent light bulbs with CFLs by Dec. 31, 2009. Visit www.makeyourmarkTX.com to find a participating retailer near you.
• Replace furnace filters before the heating season begins. Dirty filters reduce air flow, which makes your system work harder.
• Service your heating system before winter arrives. Ask a technician to check ductwork, as well.
• Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is going. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney• Plug home electronics, such as televisions and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (televisions and DVD players in standby mode still use several watts of power).
• Adjust ceiling fan blades downward to force heated air into living areas.
• Keep drapes and blinds open on sunny days to take advantage of passive solar heating.

Oncor Media

Carol Peters

972.791.6200