Energy Saving Tips

Winter Electricity Bill

A few conscious energy choices can make a big difference in your winter electricity bill.

Home winter preparation tips and projects

These simple home improvement tasks can keep your heating system from working harder than it needs to and keep you from spending more than you want to on winter electricity bills.

Protect outside faucets. Shut off exterior faucets, and drain water from outdoor pipes to prevent them from bursting.
Flush the hot water heater tank. Check the temperature and pressure relief valve to ensure it is working properly.
Get a Google Nest programmable thermostat . This can help you save up to 12% on heating costs without lifting a finger. ¹
Weatherstrip exterior doors and windows. With a couple of hours' work, you can seal out the cold and save up to 10% on total energy costs. ²
Install an electric water heater timer. Prevent your water heater from running when you don’t need it.

Get a hot water heater jacket. Older hot water heaters, or those with an R-value less than 24, could benefit from additional insulation to prevent them from losing heat.
Install insulation. Better regulate your home’s temperature and reduce heating costs with proper insulation. Assuming your attic already has 3-4 inches of insulation, we recommend using R-38.
Get an annual Heater Tune-Up . Make sure your furnace or heat pump is clean and in good working order so that it can run as efficiently as it should.
Have your chimney inspected. Be sure to also keep the chimney damper closed when it is not in use.
Check your thermostat. Set the thermostat to 68° while you're awake and lower it while you sleep to save energy. ³

Stay warm without spending more

Here are a few things you can do immediately to reduce energy consumption and still stay comfortable. Best of all, they’re free.

Layer up. Reach for a sweater or blanket before reaching for the thermostat. Weather-appropriate clothes help reduce the demand for heat.
Let the sun in. Open blinds and shades during the day and remove any solar screens so the sun can warm your home.
On vs. auto. Ensure the fan on your thermostat is set to “auto” not “on” to prevent it from running 24/7.
Check your thermostat settings. For every degree above 68°, you can expect a 3% to 5% increase in your heating costs.
Put your thermostat on vacation mode. Drop your thermostat to 50° if you’ll be gone for a few days or more. This is warm enough to prevent your pipes from freezing, without wasting energy. ⁴
Cozy up with an electric blanket. Plugin your blanket instead of turning on the heater and stay warm for around 25 cents a day. ⁵
Set your water heater to 120°. This is hot enough to be sanitary while saving you up to $60 a year on your heating bill. ⁶

Common causes of high winter bills

Two of the most common questions we hear during unseasonably cold weather are, “Why is my electricity bill higher?” and “What can I do to lower it?” The short answer is that the colder it is outside, the harder and longer your heater works to maintain the number on the thermostat. Considering heating and cooling costs account for about 42% of your electricity bill, increased heater usage will lead to higher-than-normal winter bills — if energy efficiency measures aren’t taken.⁷

Let’s take a closer look at the role your heater plays, as well as at a few simple but often overlooked causes of higher winter bills.

Longer billing cycles

Billing cycles start and end when your TDSP (utility company) reads your meter, which is typically every 28 to 30 days. During the holidays, an additional 1 to 3 days may pass before your meter is read, creating longer billing cycles in December and January.

Electric vs. natural gas

Many people with gas-powered furnaces enjoy lower electricity bills in the winter. But if you have an electric furnace, the colder season can be tough on your wallet. Electric furnaces are generally more expensive to operate than gas furnaces for two reasons: (1) electric furnaces produce less heat in the same amount of time as gas furnaces and (2) electricity typically costs more than gas in the market.

Wondering whether you have an electric or natural gas heater? Ask yourself:

Does your home use a fuel source other than electricity, such as gas? Do you pay your electricity bill plus another fuel bill?
Are your large appliances, such as your stove or water heater, gas or electric?
Does your clothes dryer have a conventional plug and wall outlet, or is the plug bigger than normal? Gas dryers typically have normal-looking plugs, and electric dryers usually have bigger plugs to accommodate larger voltage.

Fidgeting with your thermostat

As ideal as it would be, cranking your thermostat up 10 degrees on a cold winter’s night won’t make your house warm up any faster. Instead, it makes your heater work harder to reach your desired temperature, costing more money.

Additionally, constantly changing the temperature by a few degrees causes the heater to go into a costly and inefficient cycle of starting and stopping.

The solution? Get a programmable thermostat like the ones offered by Google Nes t. A programmable thermostat learns your schedule and temperature preferences. It adjusts automatically when you’re away to save energy, and adjusts again before you arrive home so you walk into a warm, cozy house.

Free energy-saving tools for Reliant customers

We offer several free energy-efficiency tools designed to help our customers save even more.

Sign up for average billing to start receiving a more consistent bill throughout the year. With average billing, your bill is calculated based on the last 12 months of usage at your address.

Sign up for AccountAlerts , which can notify you when your costs exceed a certain amount or when your daily usage spikes by 25%.

Download the Reliant App so that you can check your balance, see your usage, get alerts, and manage your account wherever you are.

Financial assistance

If you need assistance with your bill, call 1-866-RELIANT to talk about payment plans and options available to you. We can help.

For help with future bills:

Call 1-888-EEXPERT: A Reliant energy expert can answer questions about how to economize your home energy usage.
E nroll in Average Billing: Call 1-866-RELIANT to see if you're eligible. With Average Billing, your bill is calculated based on the last 12 months of usage at your address, so your bills stay more consistent throughout the year.
Apply for the Community Assistance by Reliant Energy (CARE) Program: Reliant provides financial assistance to customers facing hardship to help pay their electricity bill through our CARE program. This initiative is made possible thanks to generous customer, corporate and employee contributions. Learn more >

1 Based on independent studies by Energy Trust of Oregon and Vectren of actual Google Nest thermostat devices. https://nest.com/downloads/press/documents/energy-savings-white-paper.pdf

2 The U.S. Department of Energy estimates you can save up to 10% on total energy costs (gas and electric) by weatherstripping windows and doors in your home, but your actual savings will depend on how well-sealed your home was in the first place, whether you seal all doors and all windows and other factors and conditions specific to your home.

3 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/thermostats

4 https://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/take-vacation-your-energy-bill

5 https://home.howstuffworks.com/question91.htm

6 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/services/do-it-yourself-energy-savings-projects/savings-project-lower-water-heating

7 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-and-cool/home-heating-systems

Winter Bill Tips FAQs

Show all answers

What is electric heat?

Electric heat is heat produced by an appliance (e.g., an HVAC unit) using electricity instead of some other fuel like natural gas.
How does having an electric furnace impact my bill?

Electric furnaces are generally more expensive to operate than gas furnaces for two reasons: (1) electric furnaces produce less heat in the same amount of time as gas furnaces and (2) electricity typically costs more than gas in the market. This is why a person with an electric furnace will likely experience more of a jump in costs during the winter than a person with a gas furnace.
How do I know if my home is heated with electricity or some other heating source?
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does your home use a fuel source other than electricity, such as gas? Do you pay your electricity bill plus another fuel bill?
- Are your large appliances, such as your stove or water heater, gas or electric?
- Does your clothes dryer have a conventional plug and wall outlet, or is the plug bigger than normal? Gas dryers typically have normal-looking plugs, and electric dryers usually have bigger plugs to accommodate larger voltage.
If you still aren't sure whether your furnace is gas or electric, ask an HVAC technician.
Should I look into alternative fuel sources to heat my premise?

This is tough to answer because so many variables come into play. Changing the power used to heat your home could be unaffordable or even prohibited in certain communities. If this is something you want to look into further, you should have a professional come to your home to give you guidance specific to your home and neighborhood.
How can I save energy during the holidays?

We have several holiday cooking, decorating and general energy tips that can help you save electricity and money.
What can I do now to control energy costs and still stay comfortable?
Try some of the following suggestions:
- Keep your equipment in good working order by having a professional service it regularly.
- Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes to help reduce the demand for heat.
- Make sure your windows and doors are sealed well. If you can feel air coming through, invest in properly sealing any cracks or gaps.
- Check your thermostat settings. For every degree above 68 degrees, you can expect a 3-5 percent increase in heating costs.
- Try an electric heating blanket to stay warm in bed. They cost less than a quarter per night.
- Never use your oven or stove to heat your home. These appliances consume a large amount of electricity.
- During the day, put sunlight to work by opening window coverings.
Will using portable heaters help save on my electric bill?

Portable space heaters can save money in some instances. If your central heating system is electric and your space heater is in good working condition with an accurate thermostat, the space heater could be the cheaper option, provided you turn your central heater down and only use one or two space heaters in very isolated areas for short periods of time.¹

However, if your central heating system runs on gas, an electric space heater will not reduce your electric bill. It could potentially reduce your total energy costs (gas and electric) if you use the space heater in only a small area and are sure to turn it off when you are not in the room, but you would have to weigh your gas bill against the cost to run the space heater on electricity.

If you do decide to use a space heater, be sure to buy one that is the appropriate size for the space you want to heat. Invest in a model that includes a timer to avoid leaving it on too long, as space heaters are a fire hazard and can consume more energy than anticipated when left unattended.²

¹https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2007/11/q-a-will-using-space-heaters-lower-my-heating-bills/index.htm

²https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/hvac-vs-space-heaters-which-more-efficient
How often should I get my chimney inspected?

The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys be inspected once per year.³ The Chimney Safety Institute of America adds that you should sweep your chimney once it contains 1/8" of soot—sooner if your fireplace is glazed—to prevent chimney fires.⁴ Whether you use your chimney or not, debris may be present due to storms, vegetation, animals, birds and general deterioration, so annual maintenance is necessary.

³National Fire Protection Association http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/resources/education-programs/community-tool-kits/keeping-your-community-safe-and-warm

⁴Chimney Safety Institute of America http://www.csia.org/faq.html
Does a fireplace save energy over winter months?

A wood-burning fireplace can save money if used instead of your central HVAC. You don't have to use gas or electric energy at all to burn the wood, and you can heat up very large spaces using the fireplace.⁵ However, if you have a gas fireplace, you will need to do more research into how much gas the fireplace consumes before making any cost savings calculations.⁶ A gas fireplace could save you on your electricity bill if your central heater is electric, but if your central heater runs on gas, it could be a wash.

No matter which kind of fireplace you have, keep your fireplace efficient and safe with regular maintenance and sweeping.

⁵U.S. Department of Energy https://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/cozy-fire-while-saving-money-and-energy

⁶U.S. Department of Energy https://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/oh-energy-related-stories-i-have-heard
Does lowering the temperature of my water heater save money on the electricity bill?

Yes, reducing the temperature of your water heater can help you lower your electricity bill if your water heater is electric. If your water heater is gas, you may still save money, but the savings would be seen on your gas bill, not your electric bill.

Most homes only need the water heater to be set at 120°F, even though the water heater manufacturer may have the water heater set much higher by default.⁷

⁷U.S. Department of Energy https://energy.gov/energysaver/projects/savings-project-lower-water-heating-temperature
How frequently should I schedule regular maintenance for my furnace or heat pump?

We recommend a heater tune-up at least once per year, in the fall before winter hits. If you call us to perform your Heater Tune-Up, a licensed professional will perform a 12-point service check on your system and recommend any needed repairs.
I simply cannot afford my bill. What can Reliant do for me right now?
If you are having trouble paying for your current bill, call 1-866-RELIANT to talk about payment plans and options available to you. We can help.

For help with future bills, try one of these options:
- Call 1-888-EEXPERT, where Reliant energy experts can answer questions about how to economize your home energy usage.
- Consider different payment options, like average billing. Call 1-866-RELIANT to see if you're eligible. With average billing, your bill is calculated based on the last 12 months of usage at your address, so your bills stay more consistent throughout the year.
- Dial 211 to learn about additional assistance available in your community.

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