How to Keep Your Energy Bills Low This Fall

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Carry Out Inspections

It is no secret that heating accounts for a large portion of your power bill. Therefore, fall is a great time to examine your HVAC unit. Inspect the heating and cooling units and change filters. Call a professional to examine the unit and to carry out maintenance. After he gives your unit a clean bill of health, do not stop there. Check with your local utility if there are any incentive programs going on. There may be incentives for energy audits or energy-efficient appliances. Comprehensive home evaluations by energy raters can help you know which updates to make in order to lower your energy bills. Go through this HVAC unit checklist to check your system this fall.

Keep your Energy Bills Low: Change the Temperature

One of the best ways to save money is by lowering your thermostat. Set your thermostat to 70⁰ and below in fall. During the day, lower the temperature and put on warm clothing. When you are asleep, turn it back up. Also, use warm bedding to cater for the difference in temperature. Close all the windows in your home when the heat is on to avoid energy loss. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, get one as it allows you to easily change the temperature.

Open Window Treatments

Your drapes and blinds can help you to save energy. On days when the sun shines brightly, open window treatments so it can warm your home. Solar energy is the best energy because it is free. At night, close window treatments to prevent heat from getting out. You can also get window treatments which help you to save energy. Some window treatments – like honeycomb shades – minimize heat loss during the cold season and heat gain during the warm season.

Prevent Air Leaks and Save your Energy Bills

Air leaks can wreak havoc on your energy bills. They let in cold air during fall and winter and make your HVAC unit to work harder. The more your unit works, the more you pay for energy. Set aside time to look for air leaks around doors, windows, utility pipes, and gaps in the basement, attic, or chimney. Seal air leaks in your home with weatherstripping or caulk. You can also add excluders to the base of your doors. This helps regulate indoor and outdoor air and improves air quality. These tips from Energy.gov are great fall energy bill savers.

If your windows are drafty, you can cover them from the inside with clear plastic film or clear plastic sheet during the cold months. Make sure the plastic sheet is sealed tightly to a frame to lower penetration. If the windows still feel drafty after weatherizing, install insulating shades or drapes to enhance energy efficiency.

Take a Look at Your Fireplace

When it comes to energy loss, most fireplaces are culprits. They allow warm air to go up the chimney and escape outside. To prevent this, close your fireplace when there is no fire burning. When using the fireplace, minimize energy loss by opening the closest window slightly or by opening dampers at the bottom (if provided). Close doors that lead into the room and set the thermostat to 55⁰ or below. These fireplace maintenance tips are good to try out.

If you want to cut down on your energy bills this fall, following these guidelines is a no-brainer. They will help you to save energy and to get ready for winter. Sure, it’s important to stay warm during the cold season, but you can stay warm without expending lots of energy. Prepare for the low temperatures in advance.

Need more Energy Bills Savings Ideas?

Take a look at this Fall & Winter Home Maintenance Checklist!

For more green living energy ideas on Stagetecture, click here.