As colder temperatures settle in this weekend, Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) offers some simple energy-efficiency tips to help members manage their energy costs.
- Set your heating system’s thermostat to 68oF. You can add 3% to your electric bill for each degree above 68oF.
- Lower your water heater temperature to 120oF and reduce hot water use by taking shorter showers and using cold water for laundry whenever possible.
- Turn off lights, televisions and computers when not in use.
- Seal leaks around windows and doors. You can also use cardboard, plastic, or blankets to minimize heat loss.
- Leave drapes or blinds open during sunny winter days to allow the sun’s rays to warm the house, but close them at night to help insulate your home.
- Clean refrigerator coils and set the temperature to 36o to 39oF and the freezer to 0o to 5oF.
- When your fireplace isn’t in use, make sure to keep the damper closed. Leaving it open allows cold air to flow into your home, almost as if you had a window open. Just remember to open it before lighting your next fire.
- Rotate the direction of your ceiling fans so that the blades rotate clockwise during the winter. This pulls cold air up and helps push warm air back down to you, as warm air naturally rises to the ceiling. The fan should run at the lowest speed.
- Replace filters and keep your heating and air conditioning equipment clean and well maintained. A dirty filter will slow down airflow and make the system work harder to keep you warm.
- Air dry dishes instead of using the dishwasher’s heat drying options.
- To save more energy and money, MTE has a team of energy efficiency experts ready to help members manage their electric use. Go to mtemc.com for more information about our energy services programs or contact 877-777-9020 to speak to your trusted energy advisor.
About Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE)
Founded in 1936, MTE is the largest electric cooperative in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) region and the second largest in the United States, serving more than 600,000 Tennesseans via 310,000+ accounts covering nearly 2,200 square miles in 11 Middle Tennessee counties, primarily Rutherford, Cannon, Williamson and Wilson. Municipalities served include Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood, Smyrna, Lavergne, Lebanon and Mt. Juliet. MTE employs 510 people in 7 local offices and its Murfreesboro corporate headquarters.
For more information, please visit www.mtemc.com.
