Cold weather means rising heating costs in Saskatchewan. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Controlling Heating Costs

SaskEnergy offers tips for lowering bill during frigid weather

Jan 6, 2022 | 9:50 AM

Leaving your furnace off in the current cold snap isn’t really an option for most people, but there are some strategic ways to keep your energy bill from ballooning too much. SaskEnergy is sharing some of those tips.

“You can turn down your thermostat at night or when you’re not at home so you’re not using energy when you don’t really need it,” said Shirley Xie, senior communications officer with SaskEnergy. “If you have a programable thermostat, that is a very good idea. You can save about two per cent on your energy bill for every degree you turn down on your thermostat.”

Even at a reduced temperature, the furnace will still need to run at times, especially when the temperature drops to the bone-chilling levels we’ve seen recently. Xie recommended keeping a close eye on the furnace and changing filters regularly.

“We recommend customers change their furnace filters every one or two months,” Xie said. “To make sure your furnace is functioning properly, efficiently, and allowing sufficient airflow through the furnace.”

Changing the filter is just one basic part of furnace maintenance, however, and according to Xie, there’s a less frequent bit of upkeep to have in mind as well.

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“Conduct annual furnace maintenance,” Xie said. “That way your furnace is running properly and at peak efficiency. It also makes sure the furnace is functioning properly so your family and yourself can be safe. At the same time, you’ll save money and energy.”

The furnace may be the most obvious source of a high gas bill, but it’s not the only one. There are other appliances in the house that you can make some changes to in order to drop that energy bill down even further.

“Eighty-five to 90 per cent of the energy used for washing clothing is to heat the water,” Xie said. “Using cold water to do your laundry and wash full loads can save a lot of energy as well.”

In 2021, Saskatchewan set several records for natural gas usage. In fact, the province set a record in February, broke it again in late December, then broke that new record the very next day. With the windchill expected to be near -50 C tomorrow night, even that record might not be safe.

Xie added with increased furnace usage comes an increased danger of carbon monoxide, so making sure vents are clear and your CO alarms are working are always good safety habits.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP