The Triangle is expected to see some of the lowest temperatures of the winter this week.  As temperatures lower, heating systems are working overtime.

Progress Energy released the following heating tips and general efficiency tips.

Heating tips

• Keep your thermostat at the lowest comfortable setting. Progress Energy recommends 68-70 degrees. Every degree above 70 degrees increases your energy costs by 3 to 5 percent.
• If you have a heat pump, adjust your thermostat in small increments to avoid the operation of the supplemental heat strip in your system. Energy consumption is much higher when the heat strip is in use. A steady setting on your heat pump thermostat produces constant comfort and minimizes the use of the less efficient resistance heat strip.
• Set your thermostat back 10 degrees at night or when you’re out for long periods during the day (8-10 hours). Doing so can save as much as 10 to 20 percent in heating costs. Programmable thermostats can automate this process, saving time and money. Put an extra blanket on beds and wear sweaters inside to help keep you and your family comfortable.
• Install your thermostat on an inside wall and away from windows and doors, to keep it from overcompensating and running continuously.   
• Keep the fan on your central heating unit set to the "auto" position. Leaving the fan on all the time can add $25 a month to your electricity bill.  
• Clean or replace filters every month. Dirty filters can increase operating costs by 20 percent by making the system work harder to provide warm air.   
• Use ceiling fans in winter to distribute heat around a room. Reverse the fan direction from summer cooling.
• Close your fireplace damper when not in use. Consider glass doors to help prevent heat loss when your heating system is on.   
• Make sure registers and returns are not blocked by furniture or draperies.     
• Use insulated or heavy curtains on windows facing the north side of the house. Keep curtains and shades closed at night and on cloudy days.   
• Caulk, seal and weather strip all openings from your home to the outside. Eliminating air leaks in your home can save you up to 10 percent in energy costs.

General efficiency tips

• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. CFL bulbs save 75 percent in energy costs compared to incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Always dispose of CFLs properly.
• Wash clothes in cold water using special cold-water detergent. The cost of an average wash load using hot water is about 40 cents.  An average load washed in cold water is about 1.5 cents.
• Wash full loads of dishes. Dishwashers use approximately 15 gallons of hot water. Washing by hand could use as much as 20 gallons.
• Turn off your electric water heater if you’re going to be gone more than three days.
• When baking, turn off the oven about 15–20 minutes before the end of the cooking time. The leftover heat in the oven will finish the job if you don’t open the oven door. Every time you open the oven door, the oven can lose 25 degrees of heat.
• Turn your range element down to simmer as soon as the food begins to boil. This setting maintains cooking temperature, cooks food more evenly and saves energy.
• Use a microwave to heat your food whenever possible. Microwaves use less than one-half the power of conventional ovens and foods cook in about one-fourth the time, greatly reducing cooking costs.
• Consider replacing older appliances with energy-efficient Energy Star-rated appliances.