Hand turning a home thermostat knob to set temperature on energy saving mode. fahrenheit units. Composite image between a photography and a 3D background.

Follow These 6 Tips to Save Energy This Fall

These simple steps can help keep you warm and save money, too

It’s inevitable. The hours of daylight get shorter as the heat and humidity of summer give way to the cold of fall and the winter to follow. While no one looks forward to the cost of heating our homes, there are some simple steps you can take that will both keep your house comfortable and help curb your energy costs:

  1. Keep your thermostat at or below 68 degrees.

    The U.S. Department of Energy suggests turning back your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day to save up to 10% on heating costs.

  2. Check for cracks, leaks, and drafts.

    Check all your doors and windows for air leakage. If any of your exterior doors have space between it and the floor or around the edges, add weather stripping or use caulk to seal any gaps to keep heat from escaping and prevent avoid unnecessary heating costs.

  3. Close your fireplace damper when not in use.

    When the damper is open, and there isn’t a fire burning, warm air can escape through the chimney. Also, consider purchasing energy-efficient fireplace grates that draw cool air from the room into the fireplace while pushing warm air back into your living space.

  4. Let sun shine in.

    Take advantage of the sun’s warmth on sunny days. In the morning, open the blinds or curtains of south-facing windows, allowing the sun to warm the room. Be sure to close window coverings again when the sun goes down to help lock in all that free heat. In areas where your home doesn’t get much sun, keep your window coverings closed during cold weather to help avoid heat loss through the windows.

  5. Reverse the spin of ceiling fans.

    In the summertime, your ceiling fan direction should turn counterclockwise to create a downdraft, which produces a direct, cooling breeze. However, in the winter your fan direction should be clockwise to create an updraft and circulate warm air around the room. By recirculating the warm air and distributing it back into the living space you can improve the average room temperature and reduce heating costs.

  6. Replace your HVAC filter.

    If you don’t regularly replace your hearing system’s air filter, it will get clogged with excess dust, reducing airflow. This puts a strain on your heating and cooling system, making it work harder than necessary. Check the system’s filter once a month and replace it as necessary.

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