Winters in Chelan County can be chilly. Keep your indoor temperature comfortable without sending your thermostat (and energy bill) through the roof.
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Low & No Cost Ways to Save
Small changes can add up fast and help you save on energy costs this winter:
- Set thermostats to 68-70°F while home, lower when away.
- Heat pumps/ductless mini splits: Lower by 2-3°F while away
- Furnace/baseboard heaters: Lower by up to 10°F while away or sleeping
- Change heating filters monthly to keep your system running efficiently.
- Seal drafts around doors, windows, outlets, and vents with weatherstripping or spray foam. Learn how on our Sealing Air Leaks at Home page.
- If you have a window AC unit, remove it and fully close the window in winter.
- Close fireplace dampers and glass doors when not in use. Fireplaces can pull warm air out of your home.
- Close crawl space vents and foundation vents for winter. If vents don’t close, cover them with plastic.
- Dress warmer indoors instead of turning up the heat.
- Close drapes at night to keep heat in and open them during sunny ways to capture the sun’s warmth. Learn which types of curtains offer the best insulation.
- Use window film kits to add a temporary insulating layer to glass.
- Check your water heater settings — 120°F is a safe and efficient temperature.
Heat Pumps in Winter
Winter is your heat pump’s time to shine!
- Keep your thermostat steady around 68-70°F when you’re home.
- Leaving town? You can lower your thermostat down to 60°F while you’re away.
- When you get back home, raise your thermostat gradually (1-2 degrees at a time) to avoid kicking on the auxiliary backup heat (it’s an energy hog).
- Keep your fan on Auto, not On, to save energy.
- Avoid “E-heat” or “Auxiliary heat” — These settings override your heat pump and turn on the emergency back-up heat which uses significantly more energy.
- If you have central air vents, keep doors open to frequently used rooms to circulate heat. If you have a ductless mini split system, close doors to rooms not in use and turn the temperature down or turn off those units.
- Make sure your heat pump’s exterior unit is clear of any snow or other debris to keep air flow circulating.
Winter Vacation Checklist
Heading out of town this winter? Even small amounts of electricity add up. Follow these tips to lower your bills while your home safe while you’re away.
- Turn down your heat
- If you're going away for the holidays or on an extended winter vacation, set your thermostat down to 60°F while you’re away.
- Have a heat pump? Gradually increase the temperature when you return. Avoid cranking it up too fast — auxiliary heat may kick in, costing extra.
- Unplug phantom loads
- Unplug small electronics when not in use, including TVs, gaming systems, coffee makers, laptop, rechargeable toothbrushes, phone chargers, printers, and microwaves.
- Turn off the lights
- Turn off all indoor and outdoor lights, except a few security lights on timers or motion sensors.
Use LED bulbs — they use far less energy than traditional bulbs.
- Close windows and doors
- Check to make sure all windows and exterior doors are fully closed before you leave.
Remove any AC window units before winter and close the window entirely.
- Close blinds and curtains
- Curtains and blinds help prevent heat loss through your windows in the winter months.
For additional savings, use thermal curtains for an added layer of insulation.
- Water heater
- If you have a heat pump water heater set it to vacation mode for energy savings.
For standard electric water heaters, set your water temperature to 120°F.
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Deeper Savings
Looking for bigger savings? Try these long-lasting home improvements.
- Increase your insulation especially in the attic. If your home was built before the 1990s, you could probably use more insulation. Learn more about Chelan PUD insulation rebates.
- If your ducts run through your crawl space our attic, make sure your ducts are professional sealed, or you could be heating the outdoors. Learn about home duct-sealing rebates for savings and comfort.
- Upgrade your resistance heating or furnace to an efficient heat pump, whether you have central heating or want ductless. You could cut your heating bills by up to half and Chelan PUD rebates can help pay for the improvements!