Winter
Keep Energy Usage & Costs Down When Temperatures Drop
When temperatures drop during the coldest winter months, your home’s heating equipment has to work overtime to keep your house warm and your family safe. To control your monthly costs, it’s critical to manage your energy usage during the winter season.
4 Factors That Impact Winter Bills
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1. Energy Usage
2. Fluctuation in Temps
3. Household Changes
4. Monthly Billing Cycle
1. Energy Usage
Half the cost of your energy bill comes from space heating. Set your thermostat to 68° Fahrenheit in the winter, and turn it down a few degrees while sleeping to save up to 10% annually on energy costs.
2. Fluctuation in Temps
Drastic temperature dips result in your furnace working overtime to keep your home warm — which increases your energy bill.
3. Household Changes
Less sunlight and more time indoors mean increased lighting and appliance use. Seasonal items like fireplaces and space heaters can also affect usage.
4. Monthy Billing Cycle
Cycles can run from 26 to 35 days, so monthly bills may vary based on the number of days.
Safeguard Your Home This Winter
Safety is always our number one priority.
Do You Smell Gas?
Immediately Call 9-1-1 and (800) 947-5000
Every homeowner needs to be able to detect the signs of a gas leak.
Smell It: The most obvious sign of a gas leak is the smell of rotten eggs.
See It: Dry or hardened soil and dead or discolored vegetation could indicate a leak. In wet areas, you may notice bubbling.
Hear It: A gas leak often lets out a hissing sound.
If you detect a gas leak, evacuate the surrounding area and call 9-1-1 immediately.
Test Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Routine testing is critical throughout the winter and all year long. Also check expiration dates on devices annually.
Keep Exhaust Vents and Meters Clear of Snow and Ice
Allow gases to properly vent outside to avoid a buildup of toxins. Also, in an emergency, a technician may need access to your meter.
Know Your Supplier
Michigan natural gas customers have a choice when it comes to their natural gas supplier. That can affect your energy rate.
Learn How to Lower Your DTE Energy Bills
Visit our virtual Interactive Energy-Efficient Home for room-by-room, energy-reducing tips that can help you save all winter long.
Download the free DTE Insight App to track your energy usage and find ways to save even more.
Shop the online DTE Marketplace for instant rebates on energy-efficient products for your home, such as LED bulbs, thermostats, smart outlets and more.
Winter
Keep Energy Usage & Costs Down When Temperatures Drop
Practical Tips for an Energy-Efficient Winter
Lower That Thermostat
Setting your thermostat to 68° Fahrenheit during winter months and turning it down a few degrees while asleep can help you save up to 10% annually on energy costs.
Insulate Windows, Doors and Pipes
You can save up to 10% on your annual energy bills by sealing air leaks and adding insulation. Install caulking and weatherstripping around doors and windows. Allow warm sunlight in south-facing windows during the day and cover them at night to reduce drafts.
Power Up with LED Lighting
LED light bulbs are more efficient, durable and last up to 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs. They also use up to 90% less energy while providing the same amount of light.
Invest in Smart Home Products
Use smart home products to monitor and analyze your home energy use. From smart lighting and thermostats to sensors and switches, adding smart technology to your home helps you develop an energy-saving strategy to reduce your monthly bill.
Give Your Furnace a Boost
Keep your furnace working at peak efficiency by regularly changing the air filters, cleaning the vents and getting routine tune-ups. If it’s older, consider a modern, high-efficiency model and save with rebates.
Manage your energy use with the DTE Insight app
Download our free DTE Insight App today. The app and its Energy Bridge add-on help you monitor and manage your home energy use in real time.
Looking for more ways to save?
At DTE, we promote home energy efficiency through rebates, discounts, programs and guides, including personalized energy savings tips and our 3D Interactive Energy-Efficient Home.
Frequently-Asked Heating Questions
We offer several payment assistance programs to help you pay your bill, and we’ll help find a payment plan that best suits your budget and energy needs. We also work with government agencies and community partners to find the right assistance programs for you over the long-term or in a crisis situation.
Yes. If you’re using a gas furnace for heating, the only electrical cost will be what is required to operate the fan motor and igniter. The igniter lights the flame for a moment when the furnace starts up.
That depends on how long you’ll be away. Generally, in the winter you should adjust your thermostat by about 7-10 degrees to around 55° Fahrenheit. This temperature is a good middle ground to keep your home pipes from freezing while also conserving energy.
During the summer, when nobody is home (that includes pets), consider raising the temperature about 5 degrees. If you normally keep it at 75°, increasing it to 80° can result in energy savings. And consider hanging solar shades or curtains to cover all windows and reduce radiant heat absorption.