Finding the Right Balance This Winter
When it comes to your electricity bill, every degree on your thermostat setting matters
After last weekend’s winter storm alerts across the Philadelphia area and parts of Ohio, it’s a good reminder that small changes at home can matter most when temperatures drop.
We all enjoy staying warm in the winter, that's why managing energy wisely can help you keep electricity costs more predictable. In apartments and condominiums, heating often accounts for a major share of total electricity use. If your unit relies on electric heat instead of gas, your thermostat settings can be one of the most impactful ways to manage your energy costs.
A simple rule of thumb: lowering your thermostat a few degrees can make a noticeable difference over time. The reason is straightforward. Heating demand is tied to the gap between indoor and outdoor temperatures. The bigger the gap, the harder your system has to work.
A commonly recommended winter setting is around 68°F when you’re home and awake, then lower when you’re asleep or away. If you can tolerate it, even setting your thermostat closer to 65°F at night can add up over the season, especially during cold snaps.
This is even more important for apartment and condo residents with heat pumps and/or electric resistance heat, since efficiency and run time can change significantly as outdoor temperatures fall.
While thermostat settings have a big impact, other factors like insulation, system efficiency, unit location, and weather conditions also influence your electricity bill. Many of those variables are outside your control, but your thermostat is one lever you can adjust right away.
For the best balance of comfort and cost: lower the temperature a few degrees, dress in warm layers, and keep doors and windows closed tightly during colder weather. After a storm, if temperatures swing or winds pick up, check for drafts and adjust gradually, rather than cranking the heat up and down.
Want to learn more about energy-efficient heating? Visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver at www.energy.gov/energysaver for expert tips and recommendations.
Wishing You a Warm and Happy Holiday Season!
As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to wish you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. Whether you’re spending time with loved ones, traveling, or enjoying a quiet winter at home, we hope this season brings comfort and joy.
Thank you for being part of the Nationwide Energy Partners community. We’re proud to support your community with reliable energy billing and helpful resources all year long, and we look forward to continuing to serve you in the year ahead.
Warmest wishes from all of us at NEP!