Head off bigutility bills

As winter temperatures drop, the potential for higher utility bills goes up. Taking steps ahead of the cold season can help you trim costs and make your home more energy-efficient, keeping those utility bills in check even as the winter weather rages.

Many homeowners just assume the winter season means their bills will go up as systems work harder to keep their home regulated, says Francois Lebrasseur, marketing manager of water products for GE Appliances. In reality, there are many steps one can take to improve energy efficiency and minimize the added expense that comes with extreme winter temperatures.

Before winter weather sets in, take some time to assess your home for potential problem areas and improvements that can help lower your energy costs.

Water heaters. Heat isnt the only system that gets an extra workout come winter. Cooler house temperatures may require water heaters to work harder, so ensuring you have a model well-suited to your familys year-round needs is key. In fact, heating water is the second source of energy use in the residential home after space heating and cooling, with standard electric water heaters costing the average homeowner $585 every year to operate. One energy-efficient option is the 50-gallon GE GeoSpring hybrid electric water heater, which can save the average household $365 every year (using 1,514 kilowatt-hours per year and national average electricity rate of 12 cents per kWh) compared to a 50-gallon standard electric water heater (using 4,646 kWh per year), as based on a test comparison.

Thermostat. A programmable thermostat is easy to install and saves energy (and money) by automatically adjusting to pre-determined temperature settings. This allows you to drop the temperature during the day when no one is home, but have a comfortable environment ready when you arrive home from work each day. According to Energy Star, when used properly, a programmable thermostat can save as much as $150 a year.

Air leaks. An airtight house is critical to managing your heat-related expenses. You take time to close windows and doors to prevent heat from escaping, but thats only half the battle. Sealing cracks around those windows and doors, and other leak-prone areas such as the basement and attic, will help keep heat inside and costs down.

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Head off bigutility bills