Save Money this Fall with these Energy Saving Tips

As temperatures drop this Fall, don't let your energy bills rise! Here are a few tips to help you stay warm and comfortable this Fall without breaking the bank:

Let it shine: On sunny days, open your curtains and/or draw your blinds to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. Close your curtains at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

Don’t let the outside in: Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows that leak air. Remove window air conditioning units to prevent cold air from seeping in through the open window. If they must stay in place, seal them with caulking or tape.

Drop it low: When you’re at home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10° to 15° for eight hours, and you could save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. A smart or programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature. 

Efficiency is king: Schedule service for your heating system to ensure that it’s working as efficiently as possible. Replace your furnace or heat pump filter once a month or as needed.

Put a damper on it: Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney. If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.

Load it up: Wash dishes and laundry in full loads only. Wash laundry in cold water when possible to cut down on water heating expenses.

Turn it off: Turn off and unplug electronic devices when not in use. Use a power strip to turn off multiple electronics off at once when you leave the house or go to bed.

Source: Energy.gov