BGE Provides Customers with Tips for Saving Energy Even During Extremely Cold Weather
January 29 2015 - 3:58PM
Business Wire
Although commodity prices remain stable,
extreme weather can trigger an increase in usage which may result
in higher-than-normal bills
Customers are encouraged to visit
bge.com/WinterReady for information about conserving energy
throughout the winter months
Throughout the colder winter months, Baltimore Gas and Electric
Company (BGE) strives to provide its customers with important
energy saving tips to help ease the sting of the frigid
temperatures. Although commodity prices remain stable and total
bills have seen a steady decline over the past several years,
extreme weather can trigger an increase in usage, which may result
in higher-than-normal energy bills.
For the period of November 1, 2014 through January 28, 2015,
central Maryland experienced 584 hours when temperatures were at or
below freezing, making this time period approximately 5 percent
colder than normal weather conditions. However, due to declining
electric and natural gas supply prices, impacted by the global
energy markets, total monthly bills remain lower than in 2009. Even
though prices are going down, as temperatures plummet energy use
goes up.
“During the cold winter months, heating systems typically
account for more than 40 percent of customers’ energy bills because
extreme weather generally triggers significant increases in energy
use at home,” said Rob Biagiotti, vice president and chief customer
officer for BGE. “Although BGE commodity prices remain stable, the
forecasted low temperatures will likely cause energy usage to
increase, even for customers who leave their thermostats at a set
temperature, as heating systems must work harder and longer to
maintain the set temperatures. Without taking steps to save energy
during these times, energy bills will reflect additional usage and
will likely be higher than in months when temperatures are more
moderate. We encourage all customers to think about simple steps
they can take in their home to save energy each day, no matter the
temperature outside.”
Customers who heat with older model electric heat pumps are
especially vulnerable to sharp increases in usage when auxiliary
heating is activated during cold weather. On days when the
temperature dips below freezing, a heat pump can use 2 to 3 times
as much energy as it does compared to periods when the temperature
is above 30 to 40 degrees.
“Although colder temperatures are the primary driver for
increased energy use during the heating season, there are many
other contributing factors, some of which may not be as obvious,”
said Biagiotti. “When it’s bitter cold outside, many families spend
more time at home, cooking, watching television, and using
computers and other electronics. While we can’t control the
weather, customers can control how they use energy, even during
periods of extreme temperatures.”
Customers are encouraged to visit bge.com/WinterReady for tips
and information on saving energy, even on the coldest days.
Customers can also find information about “winterizing” their homes
and preparing their families for the winter heating season. BGE
offers customers a variety of low-to-no-cost ways to make their
homes more energy efficient, saving energy and money. The following
are steps that all customers can take to reduce energy consumption
and lower heating bills:
- Manage your thermostat.
- 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
vs. thermostats that are set at 72 degrees.
- Customers who heat their homes with a
heat pump should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for optimal
energy efficiency.
- 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 the BGE 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.
Lower the temperature if you will be away from home for an extended
time. 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 a BGE Quick Home Energy
Check-up or make your home more efficient with Home 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.
Shopping for a competitive third-party supplier, combined with
the offerings of the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program®, provides
customers with many options for reducing their energy bill and
better managing energy costs this winter. In addition to rebates
for qualifying energy-efficient appliances and price mark-downs on
energy-efficient lighting, customers should also consider
scheduling a Quick Home Energy Check-up, which consists of a visual
inspection of the home to determine its level of energy efficiency
and recommendations for improving its efficiency.
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.
To assist customers with their winter heating bills, BGE offers
a Budget Billing program, which spreads payments out over a
12-month period so customers are not as affected by seasonal
increases or spikes in usage.
BGE encourages customers not to wait until they are in crisis to
ask for help but rather to contact the Maryland Office 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 energy saving tips, visit
bge.com/WinterReady.
BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and
electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million
electric customers and more than 655,000 natural gas customers in
central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,400 employees are
committed to the safe and reliable delivery of gas and electricity,
as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental
stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon
Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy
provider, with 2013 revenues of approximately $24.9 billion. Like
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Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE)Rachael Lighty,
rachael.lighty@bge.comBGE Media Hotline: 410-470-7433
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