Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative (FLEC) gives tips on how to save on your energy bill this winter 

Vonore, TN — As the winter season is getting off to an unusually warm start, Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative (FLEC) provided some tips on how people can save money on their energy bill when the weather turns cold.

During the winter and holiday season, people are likely doing one of two things: hosting family and friends or traveling to go see them inside. In each scenario, there are ways to save on the energy bill.  

Colder weather is in the forecast again, so when hosting… before guests arrive, FLEC recommends lowering the thermostat a couple of degrees lower than the recommended winter setting — which is 68 degrees or lower — because the extra body heat is going to naturally raise a home’s temperature.  Everyone's idea of comfort is different, so just be sure to find the lowest possible setting that you and your guests can tolerate comfortably.

After a comfortable temperature is found for the host and guests, FLEC emphasizes to not touch the thermostat anymore, but if needed, it can be raised by a couple of degrees at a time, as any more than that can put stress on the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.

In the case that families are traveling and away from home, the thermostat should also be kept at 68 degrees or lower in the winter and — similar to that of when hosting guests — it can be turned up, gradually, two degrees at a time, back to a comfortable level when they get home.

You want to check your weather reports, as well, and lower your thermostat while you're away. Tennessee can be a little bit unpredictable, so check the weather before you set out,” Jarrod Brackett, FLEC’s General Manager/CEO said. “If you have a smart thermostat and can control it remotely from your phone, that's another great option.  FLEC has partnered with TVA in a new smart thermostat program and encourages members to consider this technological tool to help them save.”

FLEC recommends for its members to have their HVAC system serviced before the winter season, as well as changing air filters monthly.  Check all HVAC vents to ensure that all air vents within the home are open and not obstructed by furniture.

Vents need to be free and clear of objects and clean, so that the air can circulate like it's designed to circulate. This keeps your system working as efficiently as possible and not having to work harder.  Amy Kirkland, FLEC’s Corporate Services Specialist advised,  “There's a misconception that you should keep your vents closed and that you should close the doors to rooms that you're not using, but you actually want to keep all interior doors open because the idea is to keep air flowing freely. This helps your HVAC system run smoothly and without pressure interruptions.  Then, work to seal any leaks you may have in your home’s exterior walls, window, and doors.  You can do that easily with weather stripping around windows and doors, feeling for cracks and looking for anything that needs to be sealed.  TVA offers an energy efficiency kit and tips by accessing their website, https://energyright.com/residential/ .”

In the kitchen, when cooking with guests in the house, the thermostat can also be lowered even more, since it’s going to put off some additional heat, or use alternative appliances that use 50-90% less energy, such as slow cookers, air fryers and microwaves.

Other tips for energy savings include:

• If using an oven, bake several dishes at once to maximize efficiency.

• Do not pack the refrigerator too full, as that can block the circulation and make the unit work harder.

• Run completely full loads in the dishwasher.

• Taking shorter showers.

• Washing clothes on cold water when possible.

When it comes to lighting, FLEC recommends switching the lighting to LED instead of the traditional incandescent — this could save homeowners and use up 90% less energy to light your home. People can always save by turning off lights when leaving a room or the house for a period of time; for security, use a timer for some lights while gone overnight.

Members are encouraged to use the FLEC app that is available to help track and monitor usage trends.  A daily text tool is available in order to help you see how much energy has been used, which can be helpful to keep bills manageable and avoid financial surprises.

Learn more about energy saving tips and more about your local power company at www.flec.org .