BALTIMORE (February 12, 2016) – As temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits this weekend, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) advises customers to prepare their homes and businesses by taking note of these tips for saving energy, even on the coldest days.

• Manage your thermostat. Consider a programmable thermostat, which can save 10-25 percent in energy costs all year when programmed to lower temperatures when no one is home in the winter. When used properly, a programmable thermostat with its four temperature settings can save approximately $180 a year in energy costs.
• Set thermostats at 68 degrees F, if health and family circumstances allow. Natural gas customers should consider setting the thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night.
• Don’t heat unused spaces. Close vents in unused rooms and shut doors to unused rooms, closets and basements.
• 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®.
• Change the furnace filter regularly. A dirty filter forces the furnace to work harder.
• 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. Heating water is the second largest energy user in homes during the winter months.
• Caulk and weather strip windows and doors to keep cold air out.
• Open curtains and drapes during the day, to let the sun warm your home, and close them at night for insulation.
• Wash clothes in cold or warm water and rinse in cold water to reduce water heater usage.
• Schedule a BGE Quick Home Energy Check-up or Home Performance with ENERGY STAR to ensure your home is energy efficient.

“While colder temperatures are the primary reason customers use more energy during the winter, there are other factors that lead to spikes in energy use, and we can help manage many of them,” said Rob Biagiotti, BGE’s vice president of customer operations and chief customer officer. “In extreme cold weather, people tend to spend more time indoors using electronics and performing other activities that require gas and electricity. By taking small, low or no-cost measures, we can moderate our energy use, even in frigid temperatures.”

BGE encourages customers with smart meters to take advantage of the My Account online tools to help manage their energy use and bills. The My Account feature uses information sent daily from your smart meter to BGE. This information is available to you the very next day when you log on to bge.com/MyAccount. By tracking your energy use closely, you can understand your household’s trends and see the results of energy-saving practices almost immediately. You can also opt in to receive email or text alerts if your current energy use may result in a bill that is higher than your typical amount, so you can make changes before you receive your bill.

For more information on staying energy efficient and managing your bills during the winter, visit the WinterReady section of bge.com.

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