Cold weather forces your heating unit to run more to keep your home comfortable. The more it runs, the more energy you use, and the more your bill goes up. Here are some ways to save:

• Before winter, get your HVAC serviced. Find a trusted contractor using TVA's Quality Contractor Network here. Learn about rebates available through TVA here.
• Lower your thermostat as low as safely and comfortably possible and dress in layers. Each degree change can save approximately 3 percent on your bill. Set it lower when you’re away from home or sleeping. If you lower your thermostat drastically while a away, bring it back up three degrees at a time to ensure your heat pump does not use less efficient axillary heat.
• Consider using a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures during sleeping hours and times that you'll be away.
• To prevent costly burst water pipes, insulate pipes in crawl spaces, in attics, near outer walls, and in other unconditioned areas. If you have pipes against exterior walls, open cabinet doors to allow for conditioned airflow. You may also start a very slow drip on your faucets situated on exterior facing walls when temperatures are below freezing, but keep in mind this will increase water usage.
• Track utility usage and set usage threshold alerts in your KUB account to be aware of abnormal spikes in usage as quickly as possible. KUB also receives an alert and will notify customers if an abnormal spike occurs. 
• Seal leaks around windows and doors. In a pinch, you can use cardboard, plastic, or blankets to minimize heat loss.
• Open drapes and blinds on sunny, cool days. This reduces the need for extra lighting and warms the room.
• Replace filters and keep your heating and air conditioning equipment clean and well maintained. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm.
• In times of extreme cold, reduce or eliminate use of natural gas logs, grills, and other nonessential appliances.
• Close vents and doors to unused areas for gas systems (but not for electric systems). Close the fireplace damper to avoid losing heat up the chimney. Consider placing an inflatable-type insulator in the chimney. Make sure to remove the insulation and open the damper before lighting a fire.
• Replace old, inefficient faucets, aerators, and showerheads with WaterSense labeled models, which can save the average family 700 gallons of water a year - enough for 40 showers.
• Fix leaky faucets and always make sure faucets are turned off completely. One drip per second can add up to 150 gallons of water per month. 
• Use LED lighting, and turn the lights off when you leave a room.
• Don't run the water while shaving, brushing teeth, or washing dishes. That can waste as much as 3,000 gallons per year. 
• Minimize the use of kitchen sink disposals; they require a lot of water to work properly.
• Do not use running water to thaw frozen food. Defrost it overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave. 
• Use the dishwasher rather than washing dishes by hand, and run it only when it's full.
• Wash only full loads of laundry, and wash on a cooler setting.
• Consider an ENERGY STAR product when purchasing a new water heater and ensure it has the proper capacity for your family's needs.
• Set thermometer to 140 degrees Fahrenheit if you have an automatic dishwasher. Otherwise, set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Reducing from 140 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees Fahrenheit can save over 18 percent on energy costs.
• Unplug electronics when they aren't in use. Even when turned off, electronics use energy when they're plugged in.

• Raise your thermostat as high as safely and comfortably possible. Each degree change can save approximately 3 percent on your bill. Set it higher when you’re away from home or sleeping.
• Consider using a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures during sleeping hours and times that you'll be away.
• Water lawns and gardens in the cooler morning or evening hours so you aren't losing water to evaporation in the heat of the day.  Learn more about the most efficient ways to water your plants from EPA WaterSense here.
• Take advantage of KUB's Watering Credit Programs or install an irrigation meter to deduct your pool and irrigation consumption from your wastewater bill.
• Replace old, inefficient faucets, aerators, and showerheads with WaterSense labeled models, which can save the average family 700 gallons of water a year - enough for 40 showers.
• Fix leaky faucets and always make sure faucets are turned off completely. One drip per second can add up to 150 gallons of water per month. 
• Fix leaky toilets and replace or adjust the handle if it sticks. To find a leak, add 12 drops of food coloring to the tank and wait five minutes. If any coloring seeps into the bowl, there's a leak that can usually be fixed by replacing the flapper.
• Use LED lighting, and turn the lights off when you leave a room.
• Don't run the water while shaving, brushing teeth, or washing dishes. That can waste as much as 3,000 gallons per year. 
• Minimize the use of kitchen sink disposals; they require a lot of water to work properly.
• Do not use running water to thaw frozen food. Defrost it overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave. 
• Use the dishwasher rather than washing dishes by hand, and run it only when it's full.
• Wash only full loads of laundry, and wash on a cooler setting.
• Consider an ENERGY STAR product when purchasing a new water heater and ensure it has the proper capacity for your family's needs.
• Set thermometer to 140 degrees Fahrenheit if you have an automatic dishwasher. Otherwise, set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Reducing from 140 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees Fahrenheit can save over 18 percent on energy costs.
• Unplug electronics when they aren't in use. Even when turned off, electronics use energy when they're plugged in.