Simple Tips Help Consumers Save Money During Cold Weather

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Current forecasts are indicating an estimated peak electricity demand Thursday morning of more than 32,000 megawatts across TVA’s seven-state service area. Although the estimated peak will be below last January’s record-setting levels, TVA operators are responding by bringing all of TVA’s available electric generation resources on line to meet the potential of a 150 percent increase in power demand from levels seen during Sunday’s unseasonably mild weather.

Consumers can reduce their own electric use and save on upcoming power bills by taking a few common-sense steps:

• Turn down the thermostat, even a little – Every degree you reduce the heat below 68 degrees can save three percent or more on your power bill.
• Let the sun shine in – Sunny skies are expected across most of the Valley during this period, so opening the window shades on the sunny side of the house (while keeping them closed on the shady sides and at night) can let you lower your thermostat even more with no loss of comfort.
• Close fireplace dampers and other outside vents when not in use.

Additional energy saving tips for both cold and warm weather can be found at www.energyright.com.