Level up your winter energy game plan
Looking for ways to save on energy use? Our winter guide has you covered.
How the cold weather affects your usage
Cold weather plays a major role in increasing your energy use, which can have a big impact on your bill. Understand how:
During the winter, your heating system has to run longer to maintain the indoor temperature. Understand what’s a comfortable temperature for you and your family and check the thermostat.
When it’s cold, colder water enters your water heater, which requires more energy to heat it. That’s why the shower may take longer to warm up.
Spending more time at home can lead to higher energy use for heating, lighting and appliances. We also love to watch TV on a Sunday with a cozy blanket and some hot cocoa!
Older or less efficient heating systems, as well as poor insulation or drafts around windows and doors, can cause your heating system to work harder.
Efficiency Maine can help you with rebates on high-efficiency heaters.
Manage your energy use and bill
We help you to keep track of your usage and manage your energy bill, so you can make smarter decisions and save all winter long.
Alerts
Sign up for alerts to track your electricity use, set up targets and get notified of big usage shifts. Stay informed during outages and winter storms.
SimplePay
Enroll in SimplePay to balance your electricity costs throughout the year and avoid surprises during the heating season.
Energy Manager
With Energy Manager, you can: track your electricity use down to the hour, see how your usage compares to similar homes and get personalized tips to reduce your electricity consumption.
Tips to reduce energy use
A few simple tweaks can make a big difference in your usage
Unless you have a heat pump, making small changes to your thermostat can help you save. Keeping the temperature at 65° during the day can reduce heating use by up to 15%.
Consider installing a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat. You can lower temperatures when you and your family are not at home.
Properly insulate your hot water tank and the pipes leading from it to minimize heat loss and set the thermostat to 120°F.
Clean your filters or replace them once a month to increase performance.
Install door sweeps to entry doors to eliminate cold air from sneaking in. Check for drafts in windows as well. Check for drafts in windows too.
Close heat registers in rooms you’re not using, but make sure the temperature stays above freezing to protect your pipes.
If you use electric heat, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency ductless mini-split heat pump system, which can reduce electricity use by up to 40%.
LEDs use up to 90% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer. Turning off lights when leaving a room can help too.
Use the air-drying option on your dishwasher instead of heat drying, or simply open the door and let the contents air dry.
Avoid opening your oven to check on your food. Using the window can keep heat from escaping.
Don’t forget your holiday lights
Decorative lights are a great way to bring more joy to the season, but they can increase your energy use and create safety hazards. Learn more about it in our Festive Lights Page.
We are here to help
Managing a higher bill during the winter can be challenging and we understand that. Programs like the Electricity Lifeline Program, Home Energy Assistance Program and Home Weatherization through Efficiency Maine Trust can help you manage your bills. Visit our Help with Bill page and check the programs available for our Maine customers.
Stress-free season
Whether you're hitting the slopes or staying in by the fire, our digital tools have you covered.
eBill
With our paperless eBill service, your energy bill arrives safely in your inbox — no snow boots required. Login now and go to ‘Preferences’.
AutoPay
AutoPay takes care of your bill automatically, so you can focus on what really matters - spending time with your loved ones. Login now and go to ‘Preferences’.
Mobile App
Check your bill, make payments and report outages — anytime, anywhere, even from the ski lodge.