January 9, 2025, marks National Electricity Day—a time to recognize the innovations that power our daily lives and to encourage energy-efficient practices. To celebrate, Energy for Palmdale’s Independent Choice (EPIC) is sharing essential winter energy-saving tips to help residents lower costs and stay on track with their clean energy goals.

Winter often brings high energy use due to heating needs, with heating accounting for about 45% of the average American home’s energy expenses, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To reduce energy consumption and save money, EPIC recommends the following: 

  • Adjust the thermostat: Lower it to 68°F when home and turn it down further when sleeping or away. Every degree lowered can cut heating costs by about 2%.
  • Make the most of natural heat: Keep curtains and blinds open on sunny days to bring in warmth, and close them at night to retain it.
  • Use ceiling fans strategically: Switch fans to rotate clockwise at low-speed settings to push warm air downward.
  • Prevent heat loss: Seal gaps around doors and windows with weatherstripping or draft stoppers.
  • Upgrade to LED bulbs: LEDs use significantly less energy and last much longer, making them ideal for longer winter nights. 

As Palmdale’s local electricity provider, EPIC is committed to delivering clean, reliable power and supporting customers with energy-saving resources. 

For more tips to reduce your energy costs and to find more information about EPIC’s services, visit EPIC’s website.