Texas winters are often unpredictable, with temperatures that can change quickly from mild to cold. As customers rely more on their heating systems, electricity use may rise during the colder months. Taking proactive steps to improve home energy efficiency can help you stay comfortable while keeping energy costs low.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, home heating and cooling costs can make up more than 52 percent of an average customer’s electric bill. In some cases, poor insulation, air leaks and inefficient HVAC systems can lead to even greater energy costs each year.
“Providing reliable power at an affordable price is a top priority for us,” said Stuart Barrett, vice president of customer service at Entergy Texas. “Our rates have remained about 17 percent below the national average, and by making a few simple, low- to no-cost changes at home, customers can stay warm this winter while managing lower energy costs.”
You can improve home energy efficiency by:
- Insulate drafty windows: Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of window frames and make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration.
- Adjust the thermostat: When you’re at home, set your thermostat as low as comfortably possible. When you’re away, lower the setting even more to help reduce your heating and cooling costs.
- Find and seal leaks: Seal air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
- Maintain heating systems: Schedule routine service for home heating systems and replace furnace and heat pump filters once a month or as needed.
- Allow sunlight in: Open curtains and windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
- Reduce heat loss from the fireplace: Keep the fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning, check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible
Tracking energy use through myAdvisor
Entergy customers can set electric usage alerts and monitor how much energy they use each day through bill management tools like myAdvisor, which is available through their myEntergy account online. Tracking usage over time can help customers identify trends that contribute to higher usage and budget their monthly expenses. With the myAdvisor dashboard, customers have access to not only usage and cost details, but also bill history and projections, analyzer tools and more. On the Entergy mobile app this information can be found by tapping the “usage” tab.
By following these simple steps, you can stay warm and comfortable all winter long while keeping your bills under control. Learn more on how you can save and manage your bill by visiting https://billtoolkit.entergy.com/
About Entergy Texas Entergy Texas provides electricity to approximately 524,000 customers in 27 counties. Entergy Texas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Its customers are connected to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator Inc. power grid, which is a regional transmission organization responsible for administering the transmission systems of member utilities in 15 states stretching across the central region of the United States and Manitoba, Canada. We’re investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, Entergy delivers more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergytexas.com and connect with @EntergyTX on social media.