Comfort during the winter for most Southern Maryland residents is dependent solely on the thermostat settings used to control the heating. However, a thermostat alone is not the only factor that controls how comfortable people feel on cold and bitter winter days.

Houses that have not made every attempt to maximize comfort levels tend to be the biggest users of electricity and home heating oil and propane. Enter Southern Maryland’s electric coop to help.
 
SMECO offers its customers the PowerWise program to help homeowners reduce their electric costs while increasing the efficiency of their home heating and cooling systems.
 
PowerWise is a residential conservation program designed to help homeowners reduce their energy costs. Programs like SMECO’s PowerWise were first introduced to Americans during the energy crisis in the late 70’s. Today the PowerWise program teaches electric consumers to weatherize their homes by sealing leaking doors, windows and other areas that allow heat to escape and cold air to intrude into the home.
 
SMECO states, “By following our PowerWise program, customers can save from 10 to 30 percent on their energy costs. They also help to preserve the environment by safeguarding natural resources.
 
There are many factors that determine people’s level of comfort in the home; many of which most are not even aware. There is air leakage, radiant surface temperature, insulation, thermal bypass, relative humidity and more.
 
The pamphlet, Feel The Difference, free to all SMECO customers is packed with helpful tips for homeowners to increase their home’s efficiency and to save money.
 
The pamphlet shows customers where to look for leaks, how to caulk and seal the home. The booklet also explains how heat pumps work and the differences between gas and oil systems. There are sections that demonstrate duct systems and how they work and when they need to be fixed and sealed.
 
In addition to all the energy saving tips, the PowerWise literature explains many other aspects of home heating including airborne contaminants heat transfer and lighting.
 
The booklet may be obtained by visiting www.smeco.coop or by calling 1 (888) 440-3311 and speaking with a SMECO representative.