Did you know that the average household spends over $61,000 each year? If you feel like you’re stretching your monthly paycheck a little too far, know that there are ways to cut back on energy costs. With the right strategies, you can bank more money to put toward long-term savings or other important expenses.
Stick around to learn about 10 miraculous ways to save on energy at home this fall!
1. Lower The Thermostat Setting
As the air starts to get cooler, plan on cranking down your thermostat. Keeping the temperature in the upper 60s when you’re home tends to make for a comfortable environment during the fall months. But plan on setting the temperature lower for around 8 hours per day to see savings in your energy bills.
If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to adjust the temperature when you’re out of the house. For instance, when you’re at work or the kids are at school, set the temperature even lower. There’s no point in spending money to keep an empty house warm!
As another option, crank down the temperature when you’re sleeping. You might find that notching down the temperature by 7 to 10 degrees can help you sleep better. It certainly will help you save money.
With a programmable thermostat, you won’t need to remember to adjust it, either. You’ll probably be in a hurry on your way out the door each morning, so it’s easy to forget to change it. Instead, program the daytime temperature to be about 7 degrees lower to help cut back on energy use.
2. Change Your Lightbulbs
To save on electricity, consider swapping out your lightbulbs. When the days are shorter during the fall and winter months, you’ll rely more on light sources indoors. But if you’re using incandescent bulbs to illuminate your home, you’re probably spending more.
That’s because incandescent bulbs consume more electricity to produce a light that’s not even that bright. You’ve probably noticed that incandescent bulbs slowly get dimmer and more yellow as they age. This happens as the filament inside the bulbs fizzles — and then you’re stuck getting a new bulb pretty quickly.
LED lights, by contrast, can last up to 25,000 hours versus the 750-hour lifespan of an incandescent bulb. LED bulbs also need less electricity to provide light, meaning you can save on bills each month. You’ll need to invest a little more money on the front end for an LED bulb, but you’ll reap savings over time!
3. Maximize Natural Light
Another way to save on bills is by taking advantage of natural light. While you might have kept the blinds closed during the summer months to keep in the cool air, you’ll want to do the reverse in the fall. This means opening the blinds to let in the light!
You’ll feel happier having the extra sunlight enter your home when you’re spending more time inside. On top of that, you won’t need to rely on your lamps and overhead lights as much. As a result, you can save money on your monthly utility bills.
While you’re at it, take a moment to clean your windows. After all, cleaner windows let in more sunlight to brighten and add warmth to your home. Plus you’ll benefit from the added Vitamin D, especially during the winter months.
4. Cover Gaps And Leaks
Do you have an older home with doors that let in cool air? Similarly, warped window frames, chimneys, or attics can let in a lot of cold air. Before you hit the middle of winter, make a point of looking for gaps and leaks in the fall.
You can turn to weatherstripping and caulk to fix the problem. Apply weatherstripping to casement windows or sliding doors. Or use it on doors that lead from your home to an attached garage that may not have a heat source.
Use caulk to seal visible cracks or gaps near door jambs or window trim. Good silicone caulk will retain its shape regardless of temperature changes. It also will help add a professional look to the exterior of your home.
5. Upgrade Your Windows
Drafty windows are a common source of heat loss. And if you’re working with older windows, it might be worth investing in newer, more energy-efficient windows. If you plan to spend a long time in your home, you’ll appreciate the upgrade.
Go with fiberglass or vinyl as energy-efficient frame options. They can withstand temperature changes and help keep your home insulated. They’ll also boost your home’s curb appeal and keep your interior space quieter.
Triple-pane glass, though heavy, offers the most energy efficiency, too. Look for windows with non-toxic gases between the panes to help create better insulation. And look for windows with high-quality spacers that will ensure a good seal between the panes.
6. Pull The Plug On Dormant Electronics
Do you have a panini press or floor lamp that you don’t use very often? Then pull the plug! You might be surprised to learn that electronics will use electricity when they’re plugged in — even if you’re not using them.
Avoid leaving a fully-charged laptop plugged in. Look into adding power strips where you can plug in commonly used appliances. Then you can turn them all off simultaneously to save money.
7. Adjust Your Ceiling Fan Rotation
Did you know that the direction your ceiling fan spins can impact whether you feel warm or cool? It’s normal to think of ceiling fans as a summer cooling resource, but they can help generate warm air, too.
During the summer months, you should set your fan so that the blades turn in a counterclockwise direction. You’ll feel more cool air being pushed down from the top portion of the room. Doing this also helps keep cool air flowing through your room.
But during the fall and winter months, change the setting so that your fan blades spin clockwise. This helps to nudge the warm air at the top of your space down so that you feel it more easily. At the same time, blades moving in a clockwise direction can help move warm air coming out of vents in your room.
8. Investigate Solar Energy Sources
To save energy and money this fall, consider making the move to solar energy. Installing solar panels on your roof is a cost-effective way to reduce your dependence on the grid. By producing your energy, you won’t need to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and you’ll increase the value of your home.
Look into Blue Raven savings options to create a more eco friendly home with this renewable form of energy. You’ll love the fact that you can own your solar energy panels, use an app to monitor solar energy production, and get help with financing.
9. Service Your Appliances
Do you get your appliances serviced regularly? If not, it’s time to get started. By committing to regular maintenance, you can improve the efficiency of your appliances and increase your savings.
For instance, clean your dryer’s vent hose. Doing this will help eliminate lint and debris that get trapped in the hose.
When too much lint is present, your clothes will take longer to dry. And that can contribute to a higher energy bill or a broken dryer.
Not cleaning your vent hose also contributes to an increased danger of fires. The presence of lint plus hot air can ignite to cause a dryer fire. And if you leave your dryer running when you’re not home, which you should not do, you won’t be around to detect the first signs of a fire.
Also, plan on cleaning your refrigerator coils and replacing faulty door gaskets. Keep your fridge well stocked, too, so that it can use the energy more efficiently.
10. Change HVAC Filters
Regular HVAC maintenance should be part of your plan to save energy during the fall months. A qualified technician should inspect your furnace’s blower motor, wiring, and burner during an annual visit.
As the homeowner, you’ll need to remember to change the furnace filters every 90 days. Filters collect dust and debris, and they’ll become clogged faster if you have pets or live somewhere dry. By keeping the filters fresh and clean, you’ll help your furnace run efficiently and save money by avoiding mechanical issues.
Learn How To Save On Energy
If you can save on energy costs, you’ll feel better about how far your monthly budget can go. Make sure your HVAC system and appliances are serviced regularly, and upgrade to energy-efficient bulbs and windows. Program your thermostat, too, and make sure your windows are clean and free of leaks.
For more energy saving tips, check back for new articles!
