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As the leaves fall and the air turns crisp, it’s important to consider your energy usage as the fall provides a range of temperatures. Instead of spending exorbitant amounts of money on your utility bills, consider some of the best ways you can lower your energy bill this fall.
1. Lower the Indoor Temperatures
Fall temperatures are notoriously unpredictable. Because of the constant fluctuations, you may be tempted to constantly change the thermostat. This is a surefire way to send your energy bills soaring. In addition to using a programmable thermostat, you can also decrease your indoor temperatures as low as comfortably as possible. Lowering the temperatures of your water heater and your thermostat makes it possible to reduce your energy bill by 10%. Ideally, if everyone in the household can tolerate a moderate temperature like 72 degrees, you’ll be well-positioned to save energy and money.
You can also save by adjusting the water heater temperature. Instead of setting the water heater to 140 degrees, lower it to 125 or 130 degrees to preserve more energy. Water heaters experience standby losses. A standby loss is when heat escapes from the water heater into the nearby areas. At 125 to 130 degrees, it will still be hot enough to effectively kill germs and bacteria.
2. Replace Air Filters
The spring and fall seasons are known for their tendencies to trigger seasonal allergies. This is especially true for those who are allergic to ragweed, pollen, or hay. To avoid the spread of allergens throughout your indoor air, air filter installations and changes are paramount.
Air filters are also effective in trapping dust and dirt. When you don’t change the air filters on a schedule, this can negatively impact a person’s health and well-being. However, this can also impact your energy bill.
When a dirty air filter remains in use for a long time, your HVAC system will have to work harder to push air through. When it’s forced to work harder, it uses more energy. Higher energy consumption equates to a higher energy bill. For financial purposes, become timely with your air filter changes. Change your air filter every 90 days. If anyone in your home suffers from allergies, change it more often. With fall allergens in abundance, consider a monthly change.
3. Strategically Use Space Heaters and Fans
If you’re spending a considerable amount of time in a smaller room in your home such as a bedroom or office, don’t raise the temperature in the entire house. Instead, use a space heater and a fan to circulate heat effectively.
Make sure the doors to that specific room are closed. Once you’ve closed the doors, turn on the space heater. After a few minutes of letting the space heater run, turn on a standing fan. Once you’ve left the space heater on for ten to fifteen minutes, turn it off. Leave the standing fan on.
The standing fan simply circulates the air in the room. Since the air is warm because of the space heater, the standing fan will continue to circulate the warm air. It’s also effective because running a standing fan uses less energy than running a space heater. You’ll be able to keep the room at an ideal temperature without exerting massive amounts of energy.
4. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances and Devices
Energy-efficient appliances and devices provide excellent opportunities to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. If you’ve invested in an energy-efficient dishwasher, you can finally kiss hand-washing dishes goodbye. You’ll be able to use your dishwasher to its full potential and not just as a drying rack. Research proves that running an energy-efficient dishwasher is cheaper and more efficient than washing dishes by hand.
By breaking old habits and paying attention to the devices and appliances you use regularly, you can enjoy significant savings. Consider upgrading to energy-efficient options wherever possible to decrease the amount of air that enters or escapes. By making these transitions, you will be able to see a decrease in your energy bill this fall. It’s a small change that can lead to a big impact on your wallet and the planet. So, invest in energy efficiency today and make a positive difference!
5. Set a Timer
Have you ever lost track of time when engrossed in a project or activity? Even something as simple as taking a shower after a long day at work can become a lengthy affair. Unfortunately, a lengthy shower results in higher utility bills.
That’s why you might need to set limits on your time and energy usage. For instance, setting a timer for a ten-minute shower can make all the difference. Make it a seven-minute shower and shave off a few minutes to save even more energy. This simple step can help you save money as well.
You can apply this principle to other activities in your home too. For example, cooking large amounts of food on Mondays and reheating it for the next few days can save time as it reduces your energy consumption. With a little bit of planning, you can reduce your energy usage and save money by being mindful of the time.
6. Consider Weatherstripping and Other Insulating Tactics
If you can put your hand up to the window and feel the outdoor air, it’s time to employ better insulating tactics. Weather strips are effective for insulating windows and doors. Other insulating options include using foam tape, door sweeps, or a door snake. Consider insulating your windows with a specific type of film. During the cooler months, swap out the sheer curtains for insulated curtains instead. if there’s a crack in a wall, you’ll want to employ a tactic like caulking to completely seal the crack. You’ll also want to enlist the help of professionals to make sure the crack isn’t a symptom of a deeper issue with your home’s foundation or structure.
7. Install a Programmable Thermostat
One of the main reasons why a programmable thermostat is effective is because it allows you to remain comfortable in your home without constantly adjusting the temperature. With a programmable thermostat, you can set specific temperatures for different times of the day. This consistency in temperature regulation can help you save money on your energy bills, with some homeowners seeing up to $200 in annual savings. However, simply installing a programmable thermostat isn’t enough; you need to optimize it to match your home’s needs. For instance, if you’re home all day, your thermostat should reflect that. If you’re away at work for most of the day, you don’t need to maintain a comfortable temperature in the house. By customizing your programmable thermostat to your specific needs, you’ll be able to see the savings in no time.
Enlist Professional Assistance
When you don’t have a trained eye, you might miss a lot of ways you can lower your energy bill. This is why it’s important to enlist the help of professionals like Comfort Bros Heating & Air. When professional technicians spot problems with the HVAC system or potential issues with your energy usage, they’ll be able to provide solutions and prevent future problems. For more information on how we can provide stellar service to match your home’s needs, give us a call today.
