Winter in South Central Texas may be brief, but colder temperatures often lead to higher electricity use. When the weather turns chilly, heating systems and water heaters work harder, and lights stay on longer. Because many households use electricity at the same time, this seasonal shift can increase strain on the electric grid and drive up energy bills.
As your local electric cooperative, GVEC encourages members to stay comfortable with smart energy use. Small adjustments, especially during peak hours from 5–9 a.m. and 4–9 p.m., can make a meaningful difference. Thinking in terms of good, better, and best energy-saving habits helps lower winter bills and supports a reliable electric system for everyone.
Good
Start with simple, everyday habits. Dressing for the weather, adding a sweater or warm socks, can help you stay comfortable without raising the thermostat. On sunny days, open curtains and blinds to let in natural warmth, then close them at night to keep cold air out. Reversing ceiling fans to circulate warm air back into living spaces can also help. Remember to turn fans off when rooms are unoccupied.
Better
Next, reducing energy use by washing clothes in cold water and staggering showers can lower costs, since heating water can account for up to 20% of a monthly electric bill. Many water heaters are preset to 140 degrees, but manufacturers often recommend lowering that setting to 120 degrees to save energy and reduce the risk of scalding. Turning off unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronics also helps keep winter usage in check.
Best
For the greatest impact, focus on heating efficiency. Heating and cooling make up about half of the average electric bill, so narrowing the gap between indoor and outdoor temperatures is key. Setting your thermostat to 68 degrees—or the lowest comfortable setting—can reduce energy use by 4–6% for every degree you lower it. Sealing cracks around doors and windows prevents warm air from escaping and cold air from creeping in. Proper attic insulation and proactive HVAC maintenance can improve efficiency and comfort. GVEC members may also schedule a free in-home energy audit for expert advice.
Preparation and safety are also essential.
If using a space heater, keep it at least three feet away from anything flammable and always plug it directly into a wall outlet—never an extension cord. If using a generator during an outage, never plug it into a wall outlet, as backfeeding electricity can seriously endanger you, your neighbors, and linemen working to restore service. Members should keep their contact information up to date, use the MyGVEC app to monitor usage and report outages, and follow GVEC on social media for timely updates.
These efforts benefit more than individual households. Remember, GVEC’s local system is part of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) statewide grid. During winter weather events, especially severe cold fronts or ice storms, electricity demand can surge across our greater Texas region.
By practicing smart energy habits and planning ahead, members can save on winter energy costs while helping keep the community safely powered all season long. For more tips and services, visit our Energy Savings page.
Energy consumption during “peak-time” hours in winter (5-9 a.m. and 4-9 p.m.) can strain the electric grid more than usual as everyone attempts to stay warm. This graphic shows practical tips to conserve energy and lessen the impact of cold weather on winter electricity bills.
