Are You Ready for Winter?

by Talon J. Sachs
December 12, 2022

As the temperatures drop, your energy use tends to rise.

Story Topics

Smart Energy

BGE prepares in advance for the winter heating season and encourages all customers to prepare their homes and businesses for the colder winter months as well. During the colder months, heating systems typically account for more than 40% of customers’ energy bills because extreme weather triggers significant increases in energy use at home.

Here are simple steps customers can take in their home to reduce energy consumption:

    • Maintain Your Heating Systems and Gas and Electric Appliances – Most of your cold weather energy expenses are related to heating your home. Schedule service for your heating system to find out what maintenance is required to keep your system operating safely and efficiently.
    • Lower Your Water Heating Costs – Water heating accounts for about 18% of the energy consumed in your home. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F) and save.
    • Manage your thermostat – Keep thermostats set at a comfortable level. You can save about two percent on your heating bill for every degree you lower your thermostat. When you are asleep or out of the house, try turning your thermostat back 10⁰ to 15⁰ for eight hours to save approximately 10% on your heating bill. Consider investing in a smart thermostat that can connect to your mobile devices, helping you stay on top of your energy usage.
    • Use BGE My Account Online Tools – Your BGE online account contains tools and detailed energy usage information. By viewing your energy usage right after you use it, comparing usage trends, and discovering the results of energy-saving practices, you can manage your energy more efficiently. Log onto bge.com/MyAccount to get started.
    • Sign up for High Usage Alerts – Customers can avoid bill surprises with High Usage Alerts. Sign up through the BGE mobile app to receive a text, email, or push notification when energy usage is trending higher than normal, or a projected bill is nearing a custom dollar amount that a customer has set for the month. You can also set a budget threshold to alert you when your bill is projected to be higher than a specific amount each month.
    • Consider Budget Billing – BGE’s Budget Billing program spreads costs evenly month to month over a 12-month period so customers are not as affected by increases in usage triggered by extreme weather conditions.
    • Keep Your Natural Gas Appliances Vents Clear – Know where your natural gas appliances vent to the exterior and ensure the vents are clear. If these vents become blocked by snow or ice, exhaust may back up resulting in carbon monoxide build-up or a release of natural gas. If you smell natural gas or suspect a gas leak, get to a safe location (at least 100 feet away) and immediately call 9-1-1 or BGE at 1-877-778-7798.