Wondering Why your Austin Energy Bill is so High in the Winter?
Our customers have been fielding us with lots of questions about their Austin Energy bills over the last few months, and we are just as concerned as they are. Across the board, it seems as though our customers’ utilities are getting more expensive. KXAN investigated reports of abnormally high water bills back in the fall of 2015. Now that it’s winter, we’re getting calls about higher-than-average winter utility bills. And we think we know why.
Because Austin doesn’t reach freezing temps very often, most homeowners don’t think their heaters need as much attention as their air conditioners. But if your winter bills are sky-high, an old heater is the likely culprit.
You shouldn’t have to waste a penny to keep your family comfortable. Here are a few tips for general energy-monitoring and winter-specific ideas to lower those energy bills.
1. Take Advantage of Austin Energy Rebates
Visit Austin Energy’s website to learn about the PowerSaver Program. There are many residential rebates and loans available throughout the year, including weatherization and heating and air conditioning assistance. Installing energy-efficient heat pumps, Power Partner smart thermostats that allow the utility provider to adjust your temperature during peak demand, and whole home performance upgrades will earn your money. Just make sure you check your eligibility for these loans and rebates and work with an approved and registered contractor.
Austin Energy also has an app that customers can download to monitor their usage.
2. Nest Thermostats Will Earn You a Rebate
As we described above, you can get paid up to $85 for installing a Power Partner thermostat. The Nest thermostat is one of these approved devices. Austin Energy offers rewards for lower energy usage, especially during peak times of usage. This helps Austin Energy avoid outages, and it helps you save money. Our customers who have switched to Nest have seen massive savings along with their rebates.
3. Adjust Your Ceiling Fans
If you live in Austin, you already know how useful ceiling fans are in the summer. When the temperature reaches 75 or below, we tell our customers to turn off their AC units and switch on the fans. These mechanisms work wonders, especially in big houses with lots of sunny windows.
What you may not have know is that ceiling fans can be great in the winter, too. If you reverse the direction of you fans, warm air that usually rises will be forced back downward into the room. It’s a neat trick that can keep a space warmer if you’re having issues with heat loss.
4. Replace Your Filters.
We know it is a minor inconvenience, but it’s a good idea to replace your air duct filters every three months. Clogged air filters will make your home less efficient no matter what season it is. All that dirt and residue in the filter creates a fire hazard, especially in the winter when your heater is running.
5. Weatherize Your House — Especially if it is old
Sealing off all the cracks in your windows and doors might seem a little daunting (which is why we provide this service to our customers). Lots of little cracks could mean you have a foundation issue, but it is also a normal sign of an aging building. Sealing all of your windows is one of the best ways to keep heat in during the winter months. And there is an added benefit: It also helps keep out bugs.
6. Schedule a Tune-Up
We highly recommend a heater tune-up once per year, regardless of how old your furnace is. Heating systems are like cars and computers — they will last many years if they require a little maintenance every once in a while. Lubricating the bearings and checking the blower, motor, and overall assembly of your heater will ensure you aren’t wasting valuable resources.
Ready for a Winter Tune-Up or Home Weatherization?
Get your HVAC system up to snuff with ABC’s help. If you have questions about these services, give us a call at 512-837-9500.
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