March appears to be coming in like a lion rather than a lamb as another mass of cold air targets the Tennessee Valley from Wednesday into Friday.
The Tennessee Valley Authority and local power companies are already working to make sure generation and transmission resources are operating at top efficiency to meet the increased need for electricity.
“Although the temperatures don’t appear to be dropping as low as we saw during the cold snaps in January and February, we still expect a much higher demand for power than we typically see in the first week of March,” said Jacinda Woodward, senior vice president of TVA Transmission and Power Supply. “As we take steps to ensure our system is ready, consumers can also take steps that can save them money on upcoming power bills.”
It does not take drastic action or personal discomfort to save power. Simply turning down the thermostat a single degree can save up to three percent on future power bills.
Other quick, common sense tips that consumers can take to lower their electric bill can be found on TVA’s EnergyRight Solutions website and include:
- Keeping curtains open on clear days on the south side of the house, and closed on the north side, to allow the sun to help warm your home,
- Closing fireplace dampers when not in use to prevent warm air from escaping out of your chimney
- Using slippers or area rugs to keep your feet warm if you have hardwood or tile floors rather than turning up your heating system.
While on the EnergyRight website, homeowners can also check out the new eScore program, a partnership between TVA and your local power provider to combine expert advice with rebates on installed improvements and provide an impactful way to reduce utility bills in every season.