3 Ways to Save Energy

When it comes to reducing energy use seasonally, many people think summer is the best time when big savings can be seen due to cutting back on things like air conditioning. However, there can be some great opportunities to reduce energy use during the colder months too. With fall finally here, it's important to think about ways to save energy in your home. So let's take a look at a few easy energy saving tips to put into practice this fall.


Use your heat wisely: While it can be tempting to crank up the heat at the first sign of cool weather, it's important to use your heat cautiously. Try to keep your thermostat as low as possible -- it's easy to put on layers and snuggle up in blankets for extra warmth. At the very least, turn the thermostat down while you're away from home or sleeping. Just think about the impact lowering your thermostat can have on the environment. In the colder months, lowering your thermostat just two degrees can reduce 6% of heating-related CO2 emissions, which certainly adds up over time.


Seal any leaks: One of the biggest wastes of energy is when a home has leaks around windows, doors, and in its duct system. When there are leaks, the HVAC system has to work harder to replace the air that is escaping the house, which increases energy use. So before the cold weather arrives, make sure to check all windows, doors, and attic insulation to ensure there are no places where air could escape. Additionally, have your ductwork checked for leaks -- and consider having it cleaned while you're at it.


Unblock registers and radiators: Many homeowners make the mistake of moving furniture in front of heat registers and radiators in hopes of hiding them from sight. However, doing this can decrease the amount of heat that can come out of the systems, forcing the HVAC system to work harder. So next time you're doing some cleaning, make sure your furniture, carpet, and draperies are all away from heat registers and radiators. Additionally, it's important to note that having items in front of radiators and registers can be a hazard, so moving them is a win-win.


It doesn't take a whole lot of effort to reduce energy use at your home. So if you're thinking about conserving energy throughout the colder months, keep these simple energy saving tips in mind.

Stay Warm Without Wasting Energy

With fall finally here and the temperatures starting to drop, you may be wondering how you can reduce your heating bills this year. Being smart about your heating can not only help you save on energy costs, but reduce energy use overall as well. Energy savings are important for both your bank account and the environment, so how can you reduce your energy use? Let's take a look at a few simple energy-saving tips for fall.


Have proper insulation: Even if you are mindful about your heating and cooling system use, that won't matter if your home is not properly insulated. Without proper insulation, heated air can easily escape your home, meaning your HVAC system has to use more energy. This is why insulating your walls and ceilings, especially in your attic, can help save 20% to 30% of home heating bills. Doing this also reduces CO2 emissions by 140 to 2100 pounds each year. So by insulating your home, and maybe even investing in energy saving windows and doors, you can reduce your energy use.


Turn down the thermostat: While it can be tempting to crank up the heat at the first sign of cold weather, it's important to try to resist that temptation. Turning down the heat in your home by even just a few degrees can give you an immense energy use reward. A programmable thermostat can be great too -- it can turn down the heat when no one is home or when you're sleeping so you don't have to worry about manually adjusting it all the time. Sacrificing a few degrees of heat and turning towards some warm blankets instead is something easy that all homeowners can do.


Change your filters: If you notice that your air isn't coming out as strong or as warm as normal, it may be as easy to fix as changing the filter in your HVAC unit. Air filters should be changed every few months, but this is something homeowners often forget about. And when filters aren't changed regularly, they can become clogged with debris. When this happens, your HVAC system has to use more energy to work harder to get the air through. So if you're looking for a simple energy use reward, then change your air filters.


Saving energy at home doesn't have to be hard. Keep these simple tips in mind and you'll stay warm all fall and save some energy too.