Cooler Weather Can Mean Energy Savings for You

As fall approaches in the Northeast, temperatures get cooler at night and in the morning, warning you of the impending winter. Less daylight and cooler weather signals homeowners to fire up the furnace and settle in for a winter of high energy consumption. Not so fast. Colder weather isn’t necessarily a prescription for more energy usage. In fact, you can still find energy savings during the fall.

Use the sun Let the sun naturally warm your home by opening curtains and/or windows during warmer days to bring warmth indoors. Just remember to close them as evening falls to contain the heat.

Fix drafty windows

Drafty doors and windows account for a lot of escaping heat. Start off right by sealing drafts with plastic window coating or insulated drapes.

Control the temperature

Employ a programmable thermostat to set comfortable temperatures in the morning and evening, but keep them lower during midday when no one is home, or it is warmer outside.

Seal leaks

Search for other leaks around piping, the chimney or ceiling lighting and seal them tight to avoid more heat loss.

Maintain your heating system

Fall is the perfect time to schedule your furnace maintenance to ensure it’s running efficiently and providing all the energy savings you deserve.

Turn down the water heater

Avoid scalding yourself and your kids and save energy by turning the water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (the warm setting).

Check the fireplace

If you don’t use your fireplace regularly, seal the chimney flue. Keep the damper closed unless you have a fire burning, and update the caulking around the hearth to avoid drafts.

At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues – especially HVAC and plumbing issues – so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.

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