Eight Energy-Saving Tips for Fall

Fall has arrived here in Delmarva, and despite the unseasonably warm temperatures we’ve been getting, we know the cool weather will come. As always, it’s best to be ready for it.

Here are some of the best ways to save money and stay comfortable in the cool days and nights to come:

1. Weatherize – The average American home leaks the equivalent of an open window’s worth of air through leaks around doors and windows and through walls, ceilings, and other cavities. Those air leaks can cost you hundreds of dollars by forcing your furnace or boiler to overwork to keep you comfortable. Caulking and weather sealing are cheap, effective ways to minimize leaks.
2. Use your programmable thermostat – Properly using a “set-it-and-forget-it” thermostat can help you save 10 percent on your heating bills, says the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Aim for a temperature of 68 degrees for the best balance of comfort and energy efficiency when people are home.
3. Take advantage of the greenhouse effect – Leave your curtains and blinds open during the day to absorb the sun’s radiant heat (just make sure to close them at night to keep the heat in). Choosing better window treatments can help, too.
4. Lower your water heater thermostat – The default setting of most water heater thermostats is 130 degrees or more; 120 degrees is enough for most hot water applications in your home.
5. Add insulation – Most homes – especially older ones – are under-insulated. A one-time investment in proper insulation can cut your energy bills by up to 10 percent every year – more than enough to offset the cost of installation. Check out these DOE insulation tips and guidelines.
6. Use a cold setting for clothes washing – Today’s detergents work equally well on cold and warm settings.
7. Service your equipment – Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your heating systems and other equipment operating at peak efficiency month after month, year after year. Avoid the temptation to skip it!
8. Upgrade older appliances – Most of today’s high efficiency home comfort equipment performs significantly better than older equipment – especially if that equipment hasn’t been properly maintained. If you’re replacing a 10-year-old system, your heating bill might drop 25 percent or more – enough to offset the investment in a new unit in just a few years.

Save money this fall and winter with a heating system upgrade, or a Service Plan for your heating oil- or propane-fired heating system! Contact us today to learn more, or to get a FREE, no obligation estimate on a new home heating system.