As temperatures dip and an artic weather system moves into central Maryland this week,Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) provides customers with energy saving tips to help ease the sting of the frigid temperatures. Just as BGE prepares for the colder winter months, the company encourages customers to ensure they are prepared for winter weather by having a winter emergency plan and supplies in place, before bad weather arrives. The forecasted weather system may bring high wind and wind gusts, which has the potential to bring tree limbs down onto power lines and electric delivery equipment. Customers are reminded to stay away from downed wires and to report both downed wires and power outages by calling BGE at 877.778.2222. Customers may also report power outages via mobile phones and devices at bge.com.
· Manage your thermostat.
o During the winter, for systems other than heat pumps, set thermostats at 68 degrees F, if health allows. This can help customers see a 3-4 percent decrease in energy use.
o Customers who heat their homes with a heat pump should follow manufacturer’s instructions for optimal energy efficiency.
o Natural gas customers should consider setting the thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night, if health allows.
· Take advantage of natural sunlight.Open curtains and drapes during the day, to let the sun warm your home, and close them at night for insulation.
· Do not heat unused spaces. Close the vents in unused rooms and shut doors to unused rooms, closets and basements.
· Change the furnace filter regularly. A dirty filter forces the furnace to work harder.
· Inspect your Furnace. Have the furnace checked by a licensed professional to be sure it is operating efficiently and seal any leaks in furnace ducts. BGE offers rebates for these and other home efficiency improvements through theBGE Smart Energy Savers Program®.
· Insulate your water heater. Install an approved insulation blanket around the water heater and insulate the first three feet of water pipe (keep insulation at least 6 inches from the flue on gas water heaters).
· Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees F and conserve hot water when you can. Heating water is the second largest energy user in your home in the winter months.
· Caulk and weather strip windows and doors to keep cold air out.
· Check/add attic insulation to reach a level of R-38 or 12 inches.
· Wash clothes in cold or warm water and rinse in cold water to reduce water heater usage.
· Replace inefficient lighting: Replace your old standard incandescent bulbs with new compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. CFLs and LEDs use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they last up to 10 times longer.
· Schedule aBGE Quick Home Energy Check-up or make your home more efficient withHome Performance with ENERGY STAR®.
· Look for energy-efficient appliances: When shopping for appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners, look for the ENERGY STAR label. Newer, more energy-efficient models lower monthly operating costs.
Although prices remain stable and BGE offers innovative programs, BGE recognizes that there are some customers who may still be challenged to pay their heating bills. For qualifying customers, financial and billing assistance is also available. Customers may also consider BGE’sBudget Billing program, which evens out payments over a 12-month period so customers are not as affected by increases in usage triggered by extreme weather conditions.
BGE encourages customers not to wait until they are in crisis to ask for help but rather to contact their localOffice of Home Energy Programs online or by calling 1.800.352.1446 to apply for energy assistance before receiving a turn-off notice or having service denied.
For more information on cold weather safety and energy saving tips, visitbge.com/WinterReady
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