RICHMOND, Va. -- If you are working from home (or binge-watching Netflix) due to COVID-19, you are likely using a lot more energy than you would in a typical day around the house. And while finding that work/life balance is tough, balancing your energy bill should not be as difficult -- if you keep some key points in mind.
"Turn the lights off in rooms you’re not it. If you have energy efficient LEDS, use them," Dominion Energy spokeswoman Peggy Fox said. "As far as devices go, once fully charged, unplug them. If you don’t, you could be still draining electricity. "
Also consider adjusting your thermostat.
"On cooler days try to keep the thermostat at 68 and on warmer days keep at at 78 degrees," Fox said. "And don’t forget to change your air filter. Even though this doesn’t look dirty, changing it regularly will help your system run efficiently. "
Other tips include:
Keep devices plugged into one power strip that you can switch off when they’re all charged.
Only do full loads of laundry— and make sure to clean the dryer lint trap after each use.
Cook in microwave or toaster ovens versus conventional stoves to save energy.
Take shorter showers to save on water heating costs.
In nice weather, open windows, turn off your system and use fans if possible.
To receive help paying your energy bill, call Dominion Energy at 866-366-4357.
