Fall is characterized by some cool breezes, cozy sweaters, and pumping carvings. For these and many other reasons, most Americans proclaim that this is one of their most favorite times of the year. This is autumn and it also brings with it opportunities to celebrate holidays, family, and some yummy comfort foods.
So, with all of this happening, you need to consider how you will enjoy the cool weather and break the summer humidity while at it. Some energy-saving ideas will go a long way into helping you cope with the season and keep you, and your family warm.
In this review, we take a look at some fall energy saving tips. Of course, the situation is different in each household, but you could try making use of one or two of these ideas to make your life easy. This way, you will not end up with an astronomical energy bill.
Keep Your Thermostat Below 68 Degrees
Regulating the temperatures in the house is vital during this time, and it will end up saving your money. The Department of Energy recommends that you should turn the thermostat back to 7-10 degrees for around 8 hours in order to be able to save around 10% of the heating cost.
While at home, you can set it at 68 degrees, and make it even lower when you are going to bed. The HVAC system will have less work to do, and this will result in much lower energy consumption. The management of the temperature for your home is even easier if you have got a programmable thermostat.
Always Check for Leaks, Cracks, and Drafts
Any air leaks in your home that occur as a result of the cracks or the gasps in the windows and walls can lead to much higher energy rates per month as these will let the heat escape and the cold air to come in.
Now, before it gets extremely cold, it is wise that you ensure to check all your windows and doors for any such leakage which can keep your heater running throughout and overtime, leading to very high costs.
Take Special Note of the Fireplace
Your fireplace also needs some special attention. If you are not cozied up by the fire, ensure that the damper is closed off. When you leave it open, and the fire is not burning, the warm air in the house will escape through the chimney.
It’s good to also consider purchasing an energy-efficient fireplace that has grates. The grates usually draw in the cool air into your fireplace and pushes out the warm air back inside your room.
Let the Light in from the Windows
When the sun comes out, ensure that you let some of it inside to warm your home. Before going to work open the blinds or even the curtains which shall allow some sunlight into the room while you are gone.
Reverse the Spin on the Ceiling Fans
The ceiling fans are able to keep your home cool, but they also have the ability to keep it warm as well. If you do the reverse process in the clockwise direction, then they will be able to push the warm air down – this is because warm air rises.
This ends up redistributing the air that is warm from the heating system and making sure that the cold pockets are not settled in the corners of your house. During summer also, do not forget to re-adjust the fans back counter-clockwise.
Conclusion
When not careful, you might end up with huge energy bills, which you may not be able to pay as you were keeping yourself warm during the cold days. These tricks will keep the bills low, and still ensure that you and your family are kept warm at all times. All the best.
