By Rochelle Sommer, Senior Communications Specialist at Virginia State Corporation Commission

With this cold weather coming into the new year, it is more important than ever to know best practices to save on power bills and conserve energy. Virginia Energy Sense (VES) is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s energy education program. VES is constantly trying to educate Virginians ways to conserve energy and save money on their power bills. Many small and easy changes can adjust power bills to help save money. Here are ways Virginians can save money during the colder months of the year with low-to-no-cost efforts:

• Use your curtains: During the day, open your curtains to get natural heat from the sun instead of the thermostat. Before going to bed, close the curtains to keep the heat in at night. Practicing this habit may reduce your energy bill.
• Seal Air Leaks to Save Energy. By sealing your home to keep out the elements, you may not only enhance your comfort but also lower your heating costs.
• Improve Insulation. A well-insulated home retains warmth effectively. Fall and winter is the ideal time to inspect and improve your home’s insulation, as it can be more manageable to explore your attic and crawl spaces in moderate fall temperatures.
• Keep Your Furnace in Top Shape. Stay ahead of the cold weather by maintaining your furnace. You’ll want to replace or clean your air filter once a month. If the filter is dirty, your heating system may have to work harder to keep you warm.
• Cover Your AC Unit. If you’re using a removable window air conditioning unit, prepare for winter by taking it out before cold temperatures arrive. If your window-mounted air conditioner stays in place all year, you can still cover the unit to try and prevent cold air from seeping into your home.
• Get the Most Out of Your Ceiling Fans. Running the fan clockwise pushes hot air down to the floor, helping you stay warm and comfortable. You can change the direction of the fan’s rotation by flipping a switch on the fan itself or using the fan’s remote control. Energystar.gov says that Energy Star certified ceiling fans may be 60% more efficient than conventional fans.