We are quickly approaching the fall and winter months which means colder temps and more room for error when it comes to saving money on energy costs. It can be extra difficult to make sure you are implementing energy-efficient behavior in the fall and winter months, simply because they require you to run your appliances at full-power for long periods at a time. It is still possible to save energy (and money!) in these colder months with the right techniques. Below are just a few of the most important steps to take!
· Keep Your Thermostat Low: An easy trick to cut every costs is to keep your thermostat set as low as you can during the day. While you are awake, it is much easier to just put on an extra sweatshirt or pair of socks to keep yourself comfortable instead of cranking up the heat.
· Open Up Those Curtains: Natural sunlight, especially during the colder months, can be one of the simplest ways to naturally heat your home. During the daytime hours, keep your blinds or curtains open wide to let as much of this natural light in as possible. This decreases the need for artificial heat, sometimes altogether.
· Reduce any Heat Loss from Your Fireplace: If your home has a fireplace, taking care of this appliance can be crucial in conserving energy in your home. Simply put, keep your fireplace damper tightly closed unless you are currently using it. If you keep it open, warm air may be able to escape and be whisked right out the front door if it is opened. Regular maintenance on your fireplace is another way to make sure it is not causing any additional headache.
· Regularly Check for Leaks: Air leaks can be caused by gapping between the seals of surfaces in your home. These can be in windows, doors, ceiling frames, etc. If you discover any pesky leaks, using caulk or weather-stripping are great solutions.
· Avoid Using Holiday Lights: As festive as lights and other electrical decorations can be during the holiday season, they use an abundance of electricity and do not offer any relief when it comes to saving energy. Consider trading in your high-energy lights for an LED strand or other non-electrical decorations.
Resources: www.energy.gov