Labor Day came and went, which only means one thing—summer is officially over. Although the summer heat may still be lingering, we think it’s never too early to start prepping for the imminent temperature drop. To help fatten up that piggy bank of yours, we’ve compiled a list of our top energy saving tips to apply this fall!
1. LET IN THE LIGHT
Start taking advantage of sunlight and leave your curtains and blinds open during the day. The visible light and ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun travels through glass very quickly, and once it enters your home, converts to heat.
2. SEAL IT UP
You’re literally throwing money out the window if you don’t seal air leaks before the heating season. If left untouched, the gaps will continue to let cold air enter your home, forcing your furnace or boiler to work overtime. Luckily, caulking is a quick, cheap and easy way to lower your energy bill.
3. INSULATE, INSULATE, INSULATE!
I can’t even begin to stress how important proper insulation is when it comes to lowering your energy bills. You can reduce your energy bills by up to 20% when your home is properly insulated. Experts suggest having a professional inspect your insulation on an annual basis (preferably before the heating season).
4. MAINTENANCE IS KEY
To keep your appliances running at peak performance, you should have them serviced by a professional on an annual basis. As we head into heating season, be mindful of additional maintenance requirements. For example, experts suggest replacing your furnace filter every 4 to 6 weeks during the heating season due to high usage.
5. PROGRAM THAT THERMOSTAT
Programmable thermostats offer improved comfort, convenience, and efficiency, all of which helps to save you money. You can set these based on your family’s routine; shutting the heat off when no one’s home and turning it back on when you are.
6. COLD WASH CLOTHES
Using hot or warm water for your laundry makes up a large portion of your hot water costs. If you switch to cold water for your laundry, you could save about 7-11% of your total hot water heating costs!
7. TIME TO UPGRADE
Is your appliance on its way out? Invest in upgrading your appliance rather than wasting countless hours and dollars in repairs. Although the initial cost may be higher than repairing your current appliance, you’ll save big bucks in the long run. Newer appliances have a higher efficiency rating, which will lower your energy bills and reduce maintenance costs.
8. DROP THE TEMP
We use hot water for so many things—showering, dishwashing, clothes washing—so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that water heating accounts for 18% of the total energy consumed in your home. To help lower your bills, we suggest lowering the temperature of your water heater between 110°F-120°F. You’ll still get the same hot water without the extra cost.
Have questions on ways you can save this fall? Contact us or your local office to speak with an energy expert today!
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