Colder Weather, Higher Bills

Understanding how winter temperatures affect energy use

Each winter, we hear the same questions:

"Why did my bill double when I didn't do anything different?"

"How can my bill be higher if we weren't even home and the thermostat was turned down to 60?"

Those reactions are understandable. And in most cases, there is a clear explanation - it's the weather.

Cold weather changes how your home uses energy

Even when daily habits stay the same, colder weather increases the amount of energy needed to keep a home comfortable.

Heat naturally moves from warm areas to cold ones. When outdoor temperatures drop, heat escapes a home faster. To maintain indoor temperatures, heating systems run longer and more often, even if the thermostat is set lower or no one is home.

Cold weather affects more than just space heating:

• Water heaters work harder because incoming water is colder
• Lights are used more during darker winter days

The colder it is outside - and the longer it stays cold - the more energy is required just to keep up.

Why steady cold adds up

It doesn't take extreme temperatures to increase energy use.

When colder weather lingers, heating systems don't get much of a break. Even days that feel "normal for winter" still require consistent heating, and that ongoing demand adds up quietly over time.

That's why winter bills can rise even when nothing feels dramatically different day to day.

Why lowering the thermostat doesn't always prevent higher energy use

Setting the thermostat lower when you're away does help reduce energy use. But when outdoor temperatures drop far below indoor settings, heating systems still have to work to prevent a home from getting too cold.

It may seem counterintuitive, but an empty home can often use more energy for heating than one that's occupied. Everyday activities like cooking, using appliances, taking hot showers, and being home add small amounts of warmth. When no one is home, the heating system must supply all the heat on its own.

What can help

Cold weather has a strong influence on energy use, and winter bills often increase even when homes are efficient. That said, a few no-cost and low-cost steps can help reduce energy use and improve comfort during colder months:

• Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible
• Open curtains and blinds during the day to let sunlight naturally warm indoor spaces
• Set your water heater to around 120 degrees to reduce energy use and improve safety (helps prevent scalding)
• Close fireplace dampers when fireplaces are not in use
• Change or clean heating system filters regularly
• Seal obvious drafts around doors and windows

Use SmartHub to understand your energy use

One of the best ways to make sense of changes in energy use is through SmartHub, Central Lincoln's online account management system.

SmartHub allows you to:

• Track daily and monthly energy use
• Compare current usage to previous months or years
• Spot trends tied to colder weather
• See how changes in temperature affect energy use over time

These tools can help take some of the mystery out of winter bills by showing how energy use responds to weather, not just habits.

Winter energy use doesn't always look the way we expect it to. When temperatures stay low, homes simply require more energy to maintain comfort. Understanding how weather drives energy use - and knowing what can help manage it - can make winter bills easier to interpret and less surprising.

To get started with SmartHub and track your energy use, visit the SmartHub account registration page.