Fall Energy Saving Tips
Fall is all about getting ready for winter in many parts of the country. That doesn’t mean, though, that there aren’t things you can do to conserve energy and save money on your utility bills – even in the fall. These things will help you as you prepare for winter and to meet certain goals you may have to save money.
Find and Seal Leaks
Windows, walls, and even areas where there is plumbing are notorious inlets for the heat or cold of the outside air to invade your home. Fall is the perfect time of year to explore these air leaks and eliminate them with caulking, insulation, weather stripping and other essential tools.
Have a Furnace Inspection
Scheduling yearly furnace inspections is a terrific way to extend the life of your furnace. Doing it in the fall means that you can take care of potential problems that may be found before you are forced to deal with it during the coldest part of winter.
Change Furnace Filters
Keeping your filters changed on a regular basis also helps your furnace operate more efficiently and extends your furnace’s life. Fall is the ideal time to begin a new routine of filter changing and get on schedule if you are not already.
Remove Window Air Conditioners
Window air conditioning units are notorious for allowing frigid air to stream into your home when the temperatures start dropping. You’ll begin to notice the effect in the fall, but it will really hit hard when winter comes knocking and the frosty winds begin to howl.
Install a Whole House Fan
Whole house fans are ideal for use in fall months where the days are warm and the nights are cool. This fan helps to draw fresh, clean, cool air into your home during the cooler hours of the day while ridding your home of moisture and heat that would otherwise become trapped in your attic spaces.
Consider a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats allow you to set different temperatures in your home for certain times of day so you can take advantage of lower heating and cooling costs during the hours when the family is sleeping or when the house is empty because everyone is working.
The more steps you take to keep your energy costs as low as possible in fall, the better situated you will be to handle the realities of winter when they arise. Each of these steps will help.