Stay safe, save energy this winter with tips from Georgia Power

As temperatures begin to drop for the winter, Georgia Power aims to help customers keep their homes safe, comfortable, and energy efficient for the season.  

Tips, Tools & Resources 
Georgia Power offers efficiency information and tools that can help customers save money and energy throughout the year. The company’s  My Power Usage  tool, a free service available for many Georgia Power online accounts, allows customers to track their daily energy use online, project their monthly bill, set alerts and stay within a set energy budget. 

Simple winter tips to save money and energy include: 

• Think Thermostats – Set your manual thermostat to 68 degrees or lower. For every degree lower you maintain your thermostat, you can see up to a 3-4% decrease in energy use.
• Remember to insulate – Keep heat where it belongs with proper insulation in attics and walls. Replace cracked or peeling caulk or weather stripping around doors and windows to save up to 10 percent on energy use.
• Let the sunshine in – Keeping the blinds and shades open during the day is a no-cost way to naturally heat your home. Close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
• Maximize the flow – Heating accounts for as much as 50 percent of a home's typical winter energy usage. Maximize the efficiency of the unit by changing the filters once a month, or every three months for pleated filters. Ensure that heating vents and return air registers are clear of any obstructions, such as furniture or drapes.
• Decorate efficiently – Consider switching to energy efficient LED holiday decorations, which use more than 50 percent less energy than traditional decorations, and putting lights and inflatables on a timer to ensure they’re only on when people are home, or awake, to enjoy them.

Safety tips to keep in mind for the season include:

• Be safe with the use of space heaters – Keep space heaters away from furniture, curtains, sinks, tubs and water. Do not lay rugs or carpet over the cord. Do not use heaters if the cord is frayed or broken, and do not use an extension cord. Turn off heaters before leaving home or going to bed.
• Check your outlets – Look for outlets that have loose-fitting plugs, exposed wires or broken plates. Have them fixed by a qualified electrician. Use safety covers on all outlets accessible to children. 
• Invest in Surge Protectors – Only use surge protectors with internal circuit breakers. To prevent overheating, these units will trip the breaker if the power strip is overloaded or shorted to prevent overheating. Do not plug a surge protector into an existing surge protector. When the surge protector is not in use, unplug the unit. 

Georgia Power is committed to helping customers save money on their energy bills, explore rate options and get assistance when needed. Find dozens of other energy resources, whether you own a home or rent at www.GeorgiaPower.com/MyEnergy.