The cold weather has arrived along the Gulf Coast and Gulf Power wants to make sure you stay warm and save money and energy during the winter season.

Things you can do to save money and energy:

 

·   Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower. For every degree below 68 you’ll save 10 percent on your heating costs.

 

·    A fireplace is not always an efficient heat source. If not used properly it can actually make the rest of the house cooler because airflow up the chimney can remove the heated air. When using the fireplace, close all doors and warm air ducts to the room where the fireplace is located. Glass doors on a fireplace will reduce the outflow of warm air. And a fireplace with a blower system is ever better because it actually blows the warm air around the firebox back into the room.  

 

·    An electric blanket is more economical than heating the entire house all night long. 

 

·    Use a portable electric heater to heat only a small area. Purchase models that are thermostatically controlled. Keep it at least three feet from items that could catch fire like curtains or furniture. Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every floor and in every sleeping room of your house.

 

·    Make sure vents and return air registers are not blocked by furniture, draperies, doors or other obstacles.

 

·    Don’t use your oven to heat your home — it’s not efficient and most importantly, it’s very dangerous.

 

Things you can do to prepare your home for the entire winter season:

 

Temperature settings

• Heating a house makes up about half of your electricity bill so set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower in the winter.

• Programmable thermostats are a good investment, or you can take advantage of Gulf Power’s Energy Select. Energy Select is Gulf Power’s advanced energy management program that offers a lower price for electricity 87 percent of the time. Energy Select features a programmable thermostat and a special rate of four price periods based upon time of day, day of week and season. Installation and meter-based surge protection are both free with Energy Select.

Heating and cooling equipment

• The system heating your home is extremely important. If it's an older, less efficient unit, upgrading to a geothermal heating and cooling system — or a high efficiency air-source heat pump may be a wise choice. Contact Gulf Power at 1-877-655-4001 for a free Energy Checkup and to find out about rebates that can help you save even more.

• Routine maintenance - A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently. A complete tune-up of the home heating system can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 or more, but this is a very worthwhile investment and can reduce your heating bill from 3 to 10 percent. Some companies offer regular service contracts, which are convenient if you tend to forget system maintenance. Gulf Power offers rebates on these important services – learn more at GulfPower.com. Remember to replace the filter every month.     

• Ductwork - Duct leakage can account for 20 percent of the heating and cooling cost. Getting ducts sealed up should be at the top of the list for making your home energy efficient.

Insulation

Adding insulation to your attic is one of the most cost-effective energy saving measures. Gulf Power is now offering an incentive of $0.15 per square foot of qualifying insulation products installed over conditioned space. Call 1-877-655-4001 to learn how to apply.

 

Weather-stripping and caulking

Weather-strip door jambs and caulk any cracks around windows to prevent cool air from entering your home.

 

Window units

If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it can't be moved, put a cover over it to prevent drafts.

 

Humidifier

Use a humidifier to keep your home more comfortable. Adding moisture allows you to reduce the thermostat setting without feeling colder.

 

Customers can get a free Energy Checkup online or at your home with an appointment. Gulf Power energy experts will analyze your house and electricity use, and look for ways to make the house more energy efficient. Just go to www.gulfpower.com or call 1-877-655-4001.

 

Additional help for customers having difficulty paying their bills:

 

Additional help is available for customers who may have difficulty paying their bills this winter season.

 

Gulf Power Company has several programs that help customers save money on their energy bills, make their homes more energy efficient or help them get direct assistance. 

 

Gulf Power customer service representatives are available 24 hours/7 days a week to discuss payment and billing options with customers. To speak with a representative, customers can call 1-800-225-5797 or visit our website GulfPower.com for information about the programs or to make payment arrangements.

 

Some of the billing or payment programs include:

 

1. Gulf Power participates with the Salvation Army in Project SHARE, a program that provides emergency assistance to those who need help with energy bills. Project Share and other non-profit programs assist the elderly, the disabled, the sick, and others experiencing financial hardship. Eligible customers can apply for Project SHARE assistance at The Salvation Army office in their county. Eligibility requirements for Project SHARE recipients are set by The Salvation Army. Gulf Power customers can donate to the program by indicating so on their power bill.
2. Gulf Power offers a bill payment option called Budget Billing. Budget Billing can “level” monthly payments so customers can know approximately how much their bill will be each month and avoid high cost fluctuations caused by increased energy purchases during very cold or hot periods. 
3. The WAP (Weatherization Assistance Program) and LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) are federal, statewide programs that help pay energy bills for low-income households. To find out more about qualifications, contact your county’s local WAP and/or LIHEAP agency, which can be found on the Florida Department of Economic Development’s Web site at http://floridajobs.org/job-seekers-community-services.
4. Gulf Power also has many programs to help customers save money by making their homes and businesses more energy efficient. Visit GulfPower.com/EarthCents to learn more.

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 430,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely deliver affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible electric service to our customers while working to improve the communities we serve. Visit online at GulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.”