Page 4 - MVU Residential Newsletter — Winter 2021

ENERGY

EFFICIENCY

ELEMENT

ENERGY EFFICIENCY WINTER SAVINGS TIPS

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HEAT FROM THE SUN
Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at
night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

COVER DRAFTY WINDOWS
Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the
cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration. Install tight-fitting, insulating
drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing. Find out about other window treatments and coverings that
can improve energy efficiency.

ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE
When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. When you are asleep or out of the house,
turn your thermostat back 10° to 15° for eight hours and save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. A smart or
programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature. If you have a heat pump, maintain a moderate
setting or use a programmable thermostat specially designed for use with heat pumps.

REDUCE HEAT LOSS FROM THE FIREPLACE
Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window wide open
during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney. When you use the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening
dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly--approximately 1 inch--and close doors
leading into the room. Lower the thermostat setting to between 50° and 55°F. If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the
chimney flue. If you do use the fireplace, install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air
back into the room. Check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible. Purchase grates made of
C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool room air into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room.

DID

YOU

KNOW?

MVU WILL REQUIRE TIME-OF-USE (TOU)
RATES FOR ALL FUTURE RESIDENTIAL
SOLAR CUSTOMERS AND WILL OFFER

THE RATE AS AN OPTION TO OTHER
CUSTOMERS AS WELL.

3 | MVU Current Energy