Weatherization, Bill Assistance, and Other Home Heating Tips for a COVID-19 Winter

Fall is officially upon us: changing leaves, pumpkin patches, and cold weather. While there are many elements of this season to love, increasing energy bills from heating is not one of them. Due to COVID-19, many Oregonians are spending more time at home and having a comfortable indoor space is incredibly important for physical and mental wellbeing. But our heating bills are likely to increase, which is especially challenging if household income is reduced because of the pandemic.

CUB’s advocacy helped win a victory at the Oregon Public Utility Commission to protect customers of PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power from disconnection through spring of 2021. Check out this CUB blog for more information on all the new consumer protections for utility customers affected by COVID-19.

Even though residential customers can stay connected this winter, unpaid bills can build up, especially for households already struggling to pay bills. Using a combination of energy saving tips, weatherization, bill payment management options, and assistance resources can make a difference in both your bills and your comfort at home.

No- or low-cost energy savings

• Keep your curtains open during the day. Use passive heat from the sun (when it’s out) on your South, West, and East facing windows to heat up your home. Make sure to close your curtains during the evening to keep the heat trapped inside.
• Find and block drafts. Keeping cold air outside will make you feel warmer inside. Find drafts on exterior walls by wetting your hands and feeling for cold airflow. Check doors, windows, plumbing penetrations, along the top and bottom of your walls, and your fireplace. Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows. For large cracks, use caulking or plastic bags to fill the gaps.
• Cover drafty windows. Windows leak heat due to drafts and heat transfer through the glass. Installing plastic window kits can help prevent both types of heat loss. Using heavy curtains (or blankets) to cover windows can also help slow down the heat lost to windows. This is especially important at night when temperatures drop outside and there is no sun for passive heating.
• Keep your wood burning fireplace sealed and avoid using it for heat if possible. Fireplaces can significantly add to the amount of heat being lost in your home, even if you have a fire burning. To avoid heat being lost through the chimney while not burning a fire, seal up the fireplace with a fireplace plug or foam board (either insulation boards or foam poster board will do). Also be on the alert for possible restrictions on wood burning due to air quality concerns if wood is not your only source of heat.
• Turn down your water heater to 120℉. This saves energy and prevents scalding. Do not go lower than 120℉ as this can allow bacteria to grow in your water heater.
• Adjust your thermostat. While home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable (68℉ recommended). While away from home or asleep, turn your thermostat down by 10-15℉. For baseboard or similar electric wall heaters, only turn on heaters in the rooms you are actively using and keep the door closed to trap in the heat.
• Keep your heating system clean. Clean heating systems are more efficient and use less energy. For furnaces and heat pumps, replace your furnace filters once a month or as needed during the heating season. For baseboard or similar electric wall heaters, vacuum or wipe off dust intermittently during the heating season. For wood and pellet burning heaters, clean the flue vent regularly and use a wire brush to keep the inside clean.

Bill Payment Management Options

• Equal Pay Programs. Equal pay programs allow you to pay the same amount for your energy bills each month, avoiding the sharp increases that can come seasonally. Find out more from your utility provider at the links below:
  • Portland General Electric (PGE), Pacific Power, Idaho Power, NW Natural, Avista, Cascade Natural Gas.
• Ask your utility about Bill Payment Arrangements. Many Oregonians are struggling to keep up with their current bills. If you need more time to pay, are having trouble making your payments, or have outstanding bills, ask your utility provider for more information about their bill payment arrangement options. Remember that utilities need you as a customer and they are willing to work to keep your business.

Low-Income Energy Bill Assistance Programs
These programs provide bill payment assistance to households at or below 60 percent of state median income. If you qualify for other services such as SNAP benefits, you will also qualify for this program.

• Energy Bill Assistance
  • PGE, Pacific Power, Idaho Power - OHCS Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

• Natural Gas Bill Assistance
  

  • NW Natural - Oregon Low-Income Gas Assistance
  • Avista - Low-Income Rate Assistance Program
  • Cascade - Oregon Low Income Bill Assistance

Low-Income Weatherization and Energy Efficiency Programs

• OHCS Low-Income Home Weatherization Assistance
  • These programs provide weatherization assistance to households at or below 60 percent of state median income. If you qualify for other services such as SNAP benefits, you will also qualify for this program.

• Find local assistance programs with 211 Info
  

  • Search “Weatherization” in the Community Resource Database (211info.org)
  • Call 211 or 1-866-698-6155 (For TTY dial 711 and call 1-866-698-6155)
  • Text your zip code to 898211 (TXT211); (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
  • Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

• Take a DIY Weatherization Workshop with Community Energy Project
  

  • Community Energy Project offers weatherization workshops in the Portland area, supporting low-income participants with training and free materials and an additional workshop instructing people how to insulate their unused attic space.

These lists are by no means exhaustive and there may be additional resources in your area. This year has been difficult for many Oregonians, so be prepared for longer waitlists and more demand for services. Make sure that you read through the instructions for how to apply for these services early and understand what documentation you will need. Remember, starting with weatherization and air sealing can be a good way to prevent having to pursue more competitive programs, like bill assistance programs. Stay warm and stay safe.

To keep up with CUB, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

• Share this post on Facebook.
• Share this post on LinkedIn.
• Share this post with email.

« Back