Experts share tips to keep homes warm and energy bills low as temperatures drop, including sealing windows, using sunlight and inspecting heating systems.
As temperatures drop and winter approaches, experts are offering tips to help homeowners keep their homes warm while managing energy costs.
Kai Porter, a spokesperson for PNM, suggested starting with a home inspection to ensure heat is retained.
“Make sure that all of the sealing around your windows, doors or attics are sealed so that heat is not escaping,” Porter said.
He also recommended using natural sunlight to help heat your home during the day.
“When you’re home during the day, open up those blinds and windows and let that natural light come in and heat your home,” Porter said.
Adjusting your thermostat can also lead to savings.
“For every degree over 68, that can add about 3% to heating costs,” he said. “By just lowering your thermostat a few degrees over the long run, that can make a big difference on your power bill.”
If your heating system is aging, Porter advised having it inspected to ensure it’s running efficiently.
“Make sure that their heating systems are running as efficiently as possible. Get that system inspected, make sure that it’s running efficiently and not draining power,” Porter said.
For plant owners, Tammy Hayman, the former owner of Rehm’s Nursery, shared advice on protecting plants from freezing temperatures.
“Anything that’s tender, like your herbs, your basil, things like that, you’ll want to cover or bring them in. If you have houseplants that are outside, they definitely need to come in,” Hayman said.
To avoid bringing bugs indoors when moving plants inside, experts recommend using insecticidal soap and thoroughly inspecting the plants before transferring them.
PNM also offers free home energy checkups to help customers identify ways to use energy more efficiently and reduce electric bills. These checkups are appointment-based and must be scheduled in advance.
