877-241-9360
Español

Para asistencia en español, llame al 877-241-9360.

Loading...
Finding you the best energy plans

8 Creative Ways to Stay Warm in Winter

Jan 17 2025

Even in Texas, winter can bring chilly temperatures. And even if you have the lowest electricity rates Texas offers, using your heater all winter will likely lead to high heating bills.

But staying warm doesn’t have to mean cranking up your thermostat. If you’d like to save energy and keep your electric bill from spiking, here are 8 creative ways to stay cozy at home without raising the temperature.

1. Layer up with warmer clothing

One of the easiest ways to stay warm is to wear layers. Start with a base layer, like thermal underwear, that wicks sweat away from your body. Then, add an insulating layer like fleece and finish with a coat or cozy blanket. Warm socks and slippers will help keep your feet comfortable on cold floors.

2. Use rugs for better insulation

Tile and hardwood floors can feel cold in the winter. Adding rugs will help insulate your floors and keep your home — and toes — feeling warmer. The best rugs for insulation are large, thick, densely woven and made from wool, fur or synthetic fibers.

3. Use curtains strategically

About 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows. Minimize heat loss by closing curtains and shades in the evening. Use thick or insulated curtains to keep the cold from seeping in. Then, take advantage of heat gain by opening curtains when it’s sunny outside.

4. Seal air drafts

Drafty windows and doors let cold air in and warm air out, making them costly enemies. Luckily, they’re usually pretty simple to fix using weatherstripping or other methods. For an easy DIY fix for a drafty door, roll up a towel and place it at the door base.

5. Rearrange your furniture

Stay warm in your home by moving your sofas and beds away from cold windows and outside walls. Also, keep vents and air returns clear of furniture so warm air can circulate freely. This ensures heat gets circulated properly throughout rooms.

6. Consume warm meals and drinks

Eating a hot meal makes even the coldest days seem a little warmer, wouldn’t you agree? Drinking tea, coffee or cocoa also feels nice and keeps your hands toasty.

7. Stay active

Moving around your home is a great way to generate body heat and avoid turning up your thermostat. Light exercise, housework or even a quick dance break should do the trick. Bonus: This tip is also great for your overall health and well-being!

8. Warm up at night

A heated blanket or mattress pad can make your bed feel like a cozy retreat without heating the whole house. If you don’t have one, you can layer extra blankets or use flannel sheets to help retain body heat. For extra warmth, try using a heated rice pack at your feet. (You can even make one yourself if you’re feeling crafty!)

Compare electricity rates in Texas

These tips can help you keep warm in winter without raising your electric bill, but a year-round solution is to find the best electric rates in Texas for your home, family and usage habits. Check out Everything Energy’s innovative search tools to narrow your options and choose the best plan for you.

Comments Off on 8 Creative Ways to Stay Warm in Winter

Simple, Low-Energy Resolutions for 2025

Jan 07 2025

With the start of 2025, did you make your New Year’s resolution(s)? While health, wellness, organizing and finance-related goals may be top-of-mind, it’s also a perfect time to start a few new habits to become more energy efficient at home. The result could lead to less expensive power bills and a lower environmental impact — both of which are positive anyway you look at it.

Here are some simple electricity-related resolutions to consider that won’t take much of your energy to achieve (plus some advice on when to compare energy prices):

Know when to turn the lights off

Lighting costs make up around 15% of an average home’s electricity use, but turning them off when you leave a room is not always the answer. That’s because switching lights on or off can lower their operating life. The Department of Energy suggests the following guidelines for each type of lighting:

  • Incandescent and halogen: Turn off whenever they’re not needed, since they’re inefficient.
  • Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs): Leave on if you’ll be out of a room for 15 minutes or less; turn off if you’ll be out of a room for more than 15 minutes. The operating life of CFLs is affected by the number of times they are switched on and off.
  • Light-emitting diodes (LEDs): Because the operating life of LEDs is unaffected by turning them on and off, it’s smart to turn them off whenever you leave a room.

Upgrade instead of replacing

Light bulb burned out? Dishwasher at the end of its life? If an older item wears out, don’t just replace it — see what energy efficient options are available.

For instance, a 60-watt incandescent bulb can be upgraded to an equivalent 43-watt halogen bulb, a 13-15 watt compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) or a 9- to 12 watt light-emitting diode (LED).  An older dishwasher could be upgraded to an ENERGY STAR®-certified model.

While these may cost more upfront, they’re often less expensive overall when you account for energy savings and durability.

Make a 2-degree shift

The Department of Energy estimates a 10% savings on heating and cooling by adjusting your thermostat 7°F -10°F from its regular setting for 8 hours a day. If this isn’t possible, try going 2°F lower than your normal heat setting in winter and 2°F higher than your typical air conditioning setting in summer. Even this small shift can make a difference in your usage.

Get creative for nighttime comfort

Instead of relying on your heater or air conditioner overnight, try some other ways to stay comfortable.

In winter:

  • Put a hot water bottle between your sheets to stay warm.
  • Wear insulating fabrics like wool, fleece and down.
  • Cuddle up with an electric blanket that automatically turns off after an hour.

In summer:

  • Put your pillowcase or sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes before going to bed to instantly cool down.
  • Wear breathable fabrics like cotton, linen and chambray.
  • Sleep with a fan on.

Adjust your water heating temperature

The Consumer Protection Safety Commission recommends lowering your water heater to 120°F to avoid scalding. This also helps conserve energy, saving you money without sacrificing comfort.

Substitute cold water for hot

Water heaters account for around 18% of the average home’s energy use. Choosing cold water when possible will prevent your water heater from working overtime. Whether it’s taking a shorter shower or using the cold water setting on your washing machine, every little bit adds up.

Cook conscientiously

If your recipe allows, try using another appliance that might be more energy efficient such as a microwave, slow cooker, or pressure cooker.

Compare energy prices

While adding these little habits to your routine, it also makes financial sense to compare energy prices of different plans and providers whenever your current contract is coming up for renewal. You don’t want to miss out on something that suits you better, like a different term length, a better rate, a time-of-use plan or an option with extra perks.

Remember, it never hurts to shop for energy — and comparing energy prices is simple using Everything Energy’s advanced search tools and filters.

Comments Off on Simple, Low-Energy Resolutions for 2025