Make winter preparation a priority
Here are some low-cost and no-cost tips to help keep you warm and safe this winter, and reduce your energy bills.
- Have a qualified technician inspect your gas furnace and appliances. Residential customers who join SWL&P’s Secure Heat program have the security of knowing that furnace repairs can be quickly and economically resolved after the original warranty has expired. Learn more here.
- Caulk around windows and doors to prevent air leaks. Window shrink film insulator kits are also a great low-cost option.
- Replace furnace filters every month during the heating season. Use a calendar to remind yourself.
- Be mindful of temperature settings and lower your thermostat 5 to 8 degrees at night and when not at home to help save energy. Save on a smart thermostat through a rebate with our partners at Focus on Energy. Find more information here.
- Let the sun in! Open blinds on sunny days to naturally heat your home and close them at night to keep the heat in.
- Keep your family safe by installing carbon monoxide detectors outside each bedroom and smoke alarms on each level of your house and inside every bedroom. For both types of devices, check batteries monthly and replace them at least twice a year.
- Never use your oven or range top to heat your home.
Manage your energy use
SWL&P partners with Focus on Energy to provide customers with information, resources and financial incentives (even some free stuff!) to help you manage how much energy you use. Please visit https://www.swlp.com/SaveEnergy for more information.
Sign up for MyAccount to view and manage your energy use, set up usage alerts or threshold notifications, make changes to your account, and view and pay your bill. It’s amazing to see the impact small conservation changes can have on your bill.
Protect your pipes
Damage caused by burst pipes can cost thousands of dollars. Here’s how to prepare pipes for winter.
- Disconnect and store outdoor hoses. Cover outdoor faucets with foam insulators.
- Inspect pipes and have any leaks repaired before winter sets in.
- Protect your pipes in unheated areas of your home with heat tape or pipe insulation. Protecting pipes this way is especially important for mobile homes, basements, attics, garages, crawlspaces and pipes that run against exterior walls with little or no insulation.
- Call SWL&P at 1-800-227-7957 if you’re without water service.
Attention snowbirds!
Be sure to shut off the water in your home before you head south for the winter and consider having the pipes drained. Any water left in your pipes is at risk of freezing, causing pipes to burst and damaging your home.
Take advantage of payment arrangement and energy assistance resources
- Eligible residential customers are encouraged to apply for assistance or refer a family member or friend to these financial resources. Even if customers have applied before, additional money may be available. Call 1-800-506-5596 or visit https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1397 to learn more about Wisconsin’s energy assistance programs.
- SWL&P’s Arrears Management Program along with other payment options, including budget billing and deferred payment arrangements, are available to customers who need help with their energy bills. To learn more about the options available for managing utility costs, customers are urged to call SWL&P at 1-800-227-7957.
