UPPCO offers up tips to reduce costs while staying warm
As temperatures continue to plummet, the Upper Peninsula Power Company is keeping its customers in mind.
Staying warm is extremely important, but doing so safely is UPPCO’s top priority.
“A lot of customers, right now, start plugging in small space heaters that can be a fire hazard. We want to make sure they are following the manufacturer’s recommendations for use on those. Carbon monoxide is another key issue that people need to be worried about this time of the year when they are using alternate heat sources,” noted Jodi Pineau, UPPCO Customer Relations Leader. “Basically, that can result if a heating unit is not operating efficiently or if it’s not vented properly.”
But, no matter how safe your heating practices may be, cost eventually factors in.
“This is going to probably be one of their highest bills of the season with this kind of weather; both on their heating side. as well as their electric bill,” Pineau added. “It’s generally a higher bill period anyway because of the holidays. They just came off of holiday lighting and cooking. You can try to look at ways to cut costs such as using a programmable thermostat. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, dialing your thermostat down during the day if no ones home and putting it down at night will help reduce the costs a little bit.”
UPPCO also recommends keeping your blinds open during the day and closed at night, and changing out your furnace filter to optimize the heat output in your home.
If this month’s bill is still too steep, UPPCO suggests utilizing its budget-billing program which smooths out the cost over the course of the year.