As the seasons change, it’s time to put away your tank tops and flip flops and bring out cozy sweaters and scarves. But, there’s one thing many homeowners forget to do as summer begins to shift into fall—make energy efficient upgrades around the home! Your home’s energy needs will change with the seasons, so your energy savings strategy needs to adjust, too. To save energy in the fall season, follow these tips:
Adjust your thermostat.
When the temperatures outside begin to fluctuate, you have to adjust your thermostat inside. Not only does this keep your home comfortable, but it also helps you cut back on the energy you use to do so. It’s recommended that you bring the thermostat down to 68 degrees while you’re at home during the fall season. If you plan on leaving the house for an extended period of time, you can adjust the thermostat accordingly to keep your heating and cooling system from turning on as frequently.
Use the fireplace wisely.
Do you love curling up next to the fireplace during the cool, fall season? There’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of having a fireplace in your home as long as you are using it efficiently. Before the fall season begins, thoroughly clean your fireplace. Make sure you are only using eco-friendly logs in your fireplace. These logs release around 75% less carbon monoxide than other types of fireplace logs, so they are a greener choice. When the fireplace is not in use, make sure you close the damper so heat does not escape from your home. Finally, remember to choose either the heating system or the fireplace. Running both at the same time is a big waste of energy, so stick to one heating source at a time.
Open the drapes.
In the summer, it’s recommended that you keep the drapes closed so you can prevent the sun’s heat from getting into your home. But, now that the seasons are changing, it’s time to rethink your strategy. Open the drapes during the day so the outside heat can come into your home and provide warmth. At night, temperatures outside will begin to drop, so close the drapes again to keep the indoor heat from escaping.
Turn on the ceiling fans.
It may seem strange to use your ceiling fans more as the temperatures drop, but it’s actually a great way to save energy in the home. During the summer, ceiling fans should run in a counterclockwise motion to cool you down. But as the seasons change, reverse the direction of the fan and it will pull the cool air up from the ground while pushing warm air near the ceiling downwards. To make this change, simply turn the fan off and look for a direction switch near the fan’s motor. Flip the switch and turn the fan on again to make sure the blades are now moving in the opposite direction.
Buy a humidifier.
Air tends to dry out when fall and winter roll around, so a humidifier is a wise investment for the home. Humid air feels warmer and has the ability to hold heat for longer, so if you make the air inside your home more humid, you won’t have to rely as much on your heating system.
Wear cozy clothes.
Instead of cranking up the heat in your house, try wearing cozy pajamas and fuzzy socks to keep you warm. You don’t have to bundle up in blankets and puffy coats, but making slight adjustments to the way you dress around the house can reduce the need to turn on the heat and therefore lower your energy use.
Do a little fall cleaning.
You don’t have to wait until spring to start tidying up around the house—why not start in the fall? There are two appliances you should take a close look at to prevent wasting energy in your home. First, look at the dryer lint filter and clean out any lint that has accumulated on it since the last time you checked. The more lint on the filter, the more energy the dryer has to use to dry your clothes. Clean this out and keep it clean throughout the fall season to reduce energy use. Then, peek at the back of your refrigerator and locate the coils. These coils keep heat away from the compressor, which controls the temperature of the refrigerator. But, if they’re full of dust and debris, they can’t do their job. Keep dust and debris away from the coils so your refrigerator runs properly without wasting energy.
Living an energy efficient lifestyle through the different seasons takes a little bit of work, but it’s well worth the effort!
