Falling for Energy
The onset of fall brings back pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters, and photogenic trees—just to name a few. However, fall can also come with a higher energy bill thanks to the declining weather, and a higher utilities bill as a result. Just because the weather gets colder doesn’t mean you have to spend more on utilities. So, as a guide to our friends and clients, we have put together this short list to tell you how you can save on energy this fall.
One of the first things you should do in the fall, before the weather gets bitterly cold, is to give it a nice inspection. Take a look at the insulation and at any air leaks, as these are the most common way to lose heating efficiency. Poor insulation will allow the cold air to come wafting in, just like with the air leaks. The colder the air is in your home, the harder your heating system needs to work, and the higher the bill is that you get at the end of the month. Do yourself a favor, and check everything out.
Another easy way to reduce your energy bill is to adjust your thermostat. By lowering your thermostat at night by 10 degrees, you can save about 10% on your energy bill. As a general rule, the lower the thermostat is set at, the more energy you’ll save. Remember, your heating appliance can be one of the most expensive utilities to operate in these coming months, so keep that in mind as the weather progresses.
Our final tip for you is to check your fireplace. Utilizing your fireplace is an easy way to cut down on heating cost, because now the HVAC system is not doing all of the work. Inspect your fireplace to ensure that heat doesn’t escape through the chimney, and that all of the dampers are closed when it is not in use. Another tip is to switch over to a gas-operated fireplace as opposed to a wood burning one, as these will save you on cost and in terms of air pollution.
The cold is coming, but there are ways you can circumvent it while keeping energy bills at an all-time low. Now is the time to take advantage, and save yourself big bucks in the long run.
For more homeowner tips and tricks, be sure to check back to our blog every week!
