As summer fades and temperatures drop, utility bills generally start to climb. Homeowners switch their lights on earlier and run their furnaces well into the night. Fortunately, there are a few simple ways to keep costs and energy consumption down. From optimizing your lighting to managing your thermostat, here are a few energy saving tips to help you through the colder months of the year.
Take Advantage of Sunshine
Use as much natural light as you can by pulling back blinds and curtains during the day. South-facing windows are particularly well-suited to passive heating, keeping your home warm while reducing your reliance on artificial lighting. Just remember that glass is a weak insulator. At night, it’s responsible for 25-30 percent of all the heat loss in your home, so in order to stay cozy and snug, be sure to close your blinds and curtains after sunset.
Adjust Your Thermostat
According to the Department of Energy, turning your furnace or heat pump to its maximum temperature isn’t the best way to stay warm in cold weather. Trying to raise indoor temperatures more than 20°F above the ambient temperature outside leads to longer heating cycles and excessive costs, and increases your risk of dehydration and thermal shock.
Setting your thermostat to a temperature where you feel comfortable sitting around in seasonal clothing (sweaters, fleece, woolen socks, etc.) is the best way to promote energy efficiency. For most homes, the best winter temperature is around 68°F during the day. When you go to bed, turn it down to around 64°F. If that temperature is a little uncomfortable for someone in your house, consider installing a space heater in their room instead of raising the temperature.
A programmable thermostat automates the process. It adjusts settings according to your schedule, raising them when you get up and lowering them after you go to sleep. A smart thermostat works even better. It can detect when you’re home and when you’re out, using sensors and interactions, and adjust accordingly for greater energy savings.
Seal Air Leaks
Drafts are more than a nuisance. They allow warm air to escape and cold air to come in, which puts additional strain on your HVAC system. Old doors and window frames are particularly prone to drafts. Irregular temperatures can warp the wood, opening up cracks that allow cool air to seep in. Fortunately, weatherizing your home is simpler than it seems. You can seal leaks with a layer of caulk and weatherstrip your doors with supplies from your local hardware store.
Switch to LED Lights
Since most people leave their lights on longer during winter, electrical bills tend to rise pretty sharply this time of year. To keep energy costs under control, swap out your old incandescent light bulbs with Light Emitting Diodes (LED). LEDs use 90 percent less energy than incandescents and last 25 times longer. There are even LED holiday lights to help you save money during Christmas.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans keep air circulating inside your home. During summer, they let you run your air conditioning a few degrees higher than usual. Reversing them during winter (so they spin clockwise instead of counterclockwise), prevents warm air from accumulating around your ceiling, for a more even heat distribution.
Replace Air Filters
Dirty filters hinder airflow, making it harder to heat your home. They also lower air quality, as dust particles break away and get blown out through your ventilation ducts. Filters should be replaced in the fall and spring, in order to lower energy bills and keep your air clean.
Light a Fire
A fireplace is a great way to warm up without using a lot of power. A natural gas fireplace can heat a room up to 1,000 square feet. Just make sure you close the damper when it’s not in use, otherwise warm air will rise up and escape out the flue.
Only Heat Rooms You Use
Large homes often have rooms no one goes into ‒ guest rooms and spare bathrooms, for instance. Closing the vents in these rooms and shutting the doors will help you make the most of the heat pumped out by your furnace.
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