The Hidden Energy Costs of Staying Cozy

Every Texan knows how truly unforgiving the winter weather can be. Staying cozy during the colder months is a top priority. Whether it’s cranking up the heat or enjoying longer hot showers, winter comfort feels like a non-negotiable. But many of our cozy habits quietly use up more of our electricity than we realize. Understanding which of these habits costs the most can help you make adjustments that will keep you warm and your wallet happy. Read on to learn more about the hidden costs of staying cozy.

Why Winter Comfort Comes with Higher Usage

Colder weather is naturally tied to higher electricity usage, mostly due to the fact that people spend more time indoors, using lights and other devices. Often, heating systems are running longer, water heaters are working overtime, and appliances are getting used more often. Even routines that feel minor can start to stack up when they happen daily. If you have prepaid power, these changes in your usage can feel even more sudden and noticeable. That’s because your usage shows up right away on your balance, making it important to understand what’s driving those spikes.

Central Heating

Central heating is the largest contributor to increases in energy consumption, accounting for 40-60% of a household’s monthly usage during the colder months. Running the heater throughout the day and night takes a significant amount of power. This is especially true if your home isn’t properly insulated or if there are air leaks around doors and windows. Consistently adjusting the thermostat can also cause your system to work harder than usual to regulate the temperature.

To manage this, try setting your thermostat to a consistent, comfortable temperature and sticking with it. Wear layers indoors and bundle up in blankets. Take advantage of natural sunlight throughout the day by opening blinds and curtains to let the heat in.

Space Heaters and Electric Blankets

Space heaters and electric blankets feel like an easy solution for staying warm, but if you rely on them too heavily, they can be surprisingly expensive on your power bill. Using them for extended periods is just one way that this cozy habit drives up your bill. If you use space heaters in rooms nobody is in or leave electric blankets on when no one is using them, this is also a significant waste of energy.

While space heaters and electric blankets are more energy efficient than central heating, they should still be used mindfully. Only run one space heater in rooms you’re using and switch them off when you leave. Same thing with an electric blanket: only leave it on when you’re snuggled up with it and turn it off after you’re done using it.

Long Hot Showers

When it’s cold outside, we’re often tempted to take nice, long hot showers. But that extra comfort comes with extra energy use. Water heaters have to work harder to heat incoming cold water, which can drive up electricity usage fast, especially if you’re taking longer showers than usual. The colder air around the system also contributes to how hard it has to work.

Shortening shower time by a few minutes can make a noticeable difference in your overall energy consumption. It may also be worth switching to a low-flow showerhead to help decrease the amount of hot water you use in a given time period. Consider slightly lowering your water heater temperature, or try putting insulation around your pipes to combat heat loss due to the surrounding cold air.

Extra Laundry

Laundry is one of the sneakiest energy drains during the colder months. We usually don’t realize it, but we’re wearing more clothing as we layer up and using more blankets. Eventually, they need to be washed. We may also throw a blanket, sweater or towel in the dryer for added warmth right before we use it. Running small or more frequent loads of laundry, especially on hot water and high dry settings, significantly drives up your bill.

Resist the urge to throw random things in the dryer to warm them up before you use them. It may feel nice and cozy at first, but it only lasts a few minutes, and the effect it has on your bill can be huge. Wash clothes in cold water and wait until you have a full load before doing laundry. Use the dryer mindfully, opting for lower heat settings and avoiding overfilling or underfilling.

Small Changes Make a Big Difference

Staying cozy doesn’t have to come with hefty energy costs. Paying attention to how small, everyday winter habits affect your overall consumption can help you spot opportunities to save. Tracking your usage and making adjustments is key to lowering power bills. Pronto Power, a prepaid power company in Texas, helps Texans take control of their energy by putting transparency at the forefront. With real-time tracking from the mobile app, you can make more confident, informed decisions about how and when you use power. Get started with Pronto Power today by calling (844) 621-2852 or contacting us online!