BLACKSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- As winter weather continues to move through Central Virginia, a Virginia Tech expert warns that staying warm could put a chill on your bank account. In a release shared on Monday, Feb. 2, experts noted that Americans are paying nearly 10% more on utility bills compared to the winter of 2024, following rate hikes approved by regulators. These hikes will cover the costs of the upgrades necessary for the expansion of data centers in the state. “Northern Virginia has the highest concentration of data centers in the world,” said Virginia Tech electrical engineering expert Saifur Rahman. “To serve the growing power load, Dominion Energy needs to bring electricity from somewhere else, which needs new transmission lines.” With winter weather affecting the region, Rahman and fellow expert Scott Dunning are offering tips for lowering energy bills as Virginians crank up their heat to stay warm. Audit your energy. “For future energy savings, consider having a professional energy audit,” said Dunning. “Utilities offer rebates to help customers reduce their load. For example, Dominion Energy offers a home energy assessment program and provides you with rebates on energy-efficiency upgrades for thermostats, air purifiers, bathroom vent fans, dehumidifiers, etc.” Turn the temperature down. “If your home is heated and cooled by a heat pump, consider setting your thermostat cooler in the winter to 68 degrees Fahrenheit," said Rahman. Turn on the fan. “Ceiling fans can help distribute our air more effectively, so run your ceiling fans at a comfortable speed, clockwise to draw heat from the ceiling,” Dunning said. Reduce the load. “When was the last time you wiped down your refrigerator condenser coils? You should do that twice a year with dust rags or a vacuum cleaner,” said Dunning. “Dust on the coils acts like insulation, making the refrigerator work harder and shortening its life.” Monitor your water. “Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Many people run higher temperatures than necessary. Run full loads in washers and dishwashers, and take shorter showers to reduce hot water consumption. Wash your clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot,” said Dunning. ...read more read less