Tips to keep your energy costs down this winter
On top of the usual wintertime surge in your energy bills, the price of natural gas and electricity is also rising both in Tennessee and nationwide.
Published: Dec. 3, 2025 at 6:02 PM CST
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - It’s that time of year, when the temperature drops and energy bills go up.
On top of the usual wintertime surge in your energy bills, the price of natural gas and electricity is also rising both in Tennessee and nationwide.
Those higher bills are leaving many people trying to find ways to cut back on their energy use.
The Nashville Electric Service has a few tips that can help you keep costs down:
- Keep your thermostat set to 68 degrees or lower in the winter months. However, you shouldn’t turn your HVAC system off altogether as that can cause a spike in your bill when you turn it back on, and you could risk freezing your pipes.
- If you’re cold at home, bundle up in sweaters and blankets rather than turning up the heat. If you use space heaters, you can use this calculator to find out how much they’re costing you.
- Make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed to keep the warm air in and the cold air out.
- Unplug any electronic devices or appliances you’re not using. Even if they’re turned off, they can still drain energy just by being plugged in.
- After your HVAC system, your water heater is usually the second biggest energy suck in your house. Taking cooler and/or shorter showers and using cold water for laundry can help keep costs down.
If you’re struggling to pay your electric bill, you might qualify to get help through the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. Applications are open now.
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