From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weakly: Five Ways to Take Control of Your Energy Bills This Fall

We all want to save money, and home energy costs are one area where many people struggle. Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature throughout the year can be expensive. Fall is a great time to make some change and adjustments in order to see significant savings. You don’t have to invest in major home renovations or purchase new equipment in order to make a difference. Take a look at these five ways to take control of your energy bills this fall.

Start with the Thermostat

Making a few simple adjustments to your thermostat will cut energy costs quite a bit. When you’re not home and when you’re sleeping, you can turn your thermostat down by as much as ten degrees in order to save energy. Simply turn it back up when you arrive home and when you wake up in the morning. A programmable thermostat lets you set a schedule ahead of time so you don’t forget, and it’s a relatively inexpensive upgrade.

Check Your Water Heater

You’d be surprised at how much unnecessary energy is consumed by your home’s water heater. Many people don’t know their setting may be too high. Take a look at yours and lower the temperature if it is above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to saving you money, you’ll be less likely to encounter the possibility of scalding injury due to excessive water temperatures.

Maintain Your Heating System

Fall is the perfect time to schedule an inspection for your heating system. Regular maintenance ensures safety and allows your system to work more efficiently, saving you money throughout the year. It’s a good idea to call a professional contractor like Bone Heating and Cooling to be sure the job is done thoroughly. A professional will know exactly what needs to be taken care of for your particular system and will have the know-how to complete a thorough inspection. A simple thing you can do yourself is to check the air filter in your furnace to be sure it isn’t clogged by debris. During the winter months, it’s a good idea to replace the filter on a monthly basis.

Seal Air Leaks

If there are air leaks in your home, you’re wasting a great deal of energy. Take a walk around to inspect for drafts on a cool day. Most leaks will be in fairly obvious places such as around doors and windows. However, you may not have considered holes in your basement or attic that could contribute to the problem. Caulking can be used to take care of leaks between window and walls. Use weather stripping around doors to take care of drafts. Spray insulation is good for filling any holes you discover.

Pay Attention to Your Fireplace

If you have a fireplace, there are some steps you can take to minimize energy loss and increase efficiency. First of all, make sure your fireplace is clean. Also, many people forget about the damper. When the fireplace is not being used, the damper should be closed in order to avoid allowing heat to escape through your chimney. You want to keep as much heat in as possible, while make sure the cold air stays out. Another way to do this is to use caulking to seal any leaks around the hearth of your fireplace. Converting from a wood burning fireplace to gas is an investment that may be worthy as gas is far more energy efficient and causes less air pollution.

Cutting down on your energy bills takes just a few changes on your part, but you’re likely to see a significant savings. By investing a little time this fall, you’ll be toasty warm all winter long.