Is Your Home Using Too Much Electricity in Winter?

Why Electric Bills Spike Every Winter

As the temperature drops, most homeowners brace for one thing besides the cold — higher electric bills. Between longer nights, extra heating, and holiday energy use, winter can push your home’s electrical system (and your budget) to the limit.

But here’s the good news: You don’t have to live in the dark or freeze to save money. With a few smart upgrades and maintenance tips, you can cut winter energy costs safely while keeping your home cozy and bright.

At Werkheiser Electric, we help Lehigh Valley homeowners identify hidden sources of wasted energy — and fix them with practical, long-lasting electrical solutions.

Why Your Electric Bills Climb in Winter

Even if you don’t use electric heat, your system is working overtime. Here’s why:

• Shorter days = more lighting hours

• Furnace blowers and heat pumps draw continuous power

• Space heaters and electric fireplaces pull 1,500+ watts each

• Hot water heaters work harder in cold temperatures

• Holiday lights and decorations add extra load

• More time indoors means more cooking, entertainment, and appliance use

This spike in activity runs through your home’s electrical panel, and if your system isn’t optimized for efficiency, energy waste adds up fast.

Switch to LED Lighting — Inside and Out

Lighting accounts for roughly 15–20% of winter energy costs, especially when it’s dark by 5 PM. Upgrading to LED bulbs can cut lighting energy use by up to 75%, and they last 25 times longer than traditional bulbs.

Where to start:

• Replace high-use fixtures (kitchen, living room, hallways) first

• Upgrade outdoor lights — LEDs handle cold weather better than CFLs

• Install motion or dusk sensors to eliminate waste from forgotten lights

Werkheiser Electric can install LED recessed lighting or smart switches for ultimate control and efficiency.

Manage Heating Load with Smart Thermostats

Even if your primary heat is gas or oil, your blower motor and circulating fans use electricity. A smart thermostat optimizes your heating cycles automatically — warming your home when you’re there and saving energy when you’re not.

Benefits:

• Save up to 10–15% on heating costs

• Control settings from your phone

• Track energy usage trends

Our electricians can help you select and install a thermostat that integrates with your system — from Nest to Honeywell to Ecobee — ensuring safe wiring and reliable connectivity.

Check for Phantom Loads

Many devices continue drawing power even when they’re turned off — called “phantom” or standby loads.

Examples: TVs, game consoles, cable boxes, chargers, microwaves, and coffee makers.

Fix it:

• Plug devices into a smart power strip that cuts power automatically

• Unplug seldom-used electronics

• Use smart plugs to schedule shutoffs during overnight hours

You could save $100–$200 a year simply by eliminating phantom load waste.

Ensure Proper Circuit Efficiency

If circuits are overloaded, they heat up, trip breakers, or cause small efficiency losses from resistance.

Winter adds strain with extra heaters, dehumidifiers, and lighting.

A professional panel checkup ensures your circuits are properly balanced and running efficiently. Werkheiser Electric can:

• Measure actual load per circuit

• Identify overloaded breakers

• Tighten and replace weak connections

• Suggest redistribution or upgrades

This keeps your system safer and can lower wasted energy from inefficient current flow.

Inspect Fans, Motors, and Appliances

Dirty or aging motors in HVAC blowers, bath fans, or refrigerators draw more current than necessary.

• Clean or replace filters regularly

• Check for unusual noises or vibration

• Have motors lubricated and inspected annually

  
  

Improve Insulation and Air Sealing

While not strictly “electrical,” better insulation directly affects energy use. Every watt your heating system wastes compensating for drafts is money lost.

Werkheiser Electric can complement insulation improvements with:

• Thermal imaging scans to locate hot/cold spots

• Attic ventilation fans to balance temperature

• Whole-home surge protection to shield sensitive systems

When to Call an Electrician

If your bills jump unexpectedly, or you notice:

• Breakers tripping more often

• Dimming lights when appliances start

• Outlets that feel warm or hum

• Sparks or mild shocks

… it’s time to have your system checked by a licensed professional. These are early signs of overload, aging wiring, or improper grounding — all of which waste energy and increase fire risk.

Comfort and Efficiency Can Coexist

Saving money on winter electricity doesn’t mean living uncomfortably — it means making your system smarter, safer, and more efficient. Small changes like LED lighting, smart thermostats, and load balancing can add up to hundreds in annual savings while protecting your home from winter electrical hazards.