Autumn leaves don’t fall, they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar.
— Della Owens, “Where The Crawdads Sing”
With autumn now official, I thought I’d take a little time to share some tips for the cooler months. There are all sorts of things we can do to make our homes warmer and more energy efficient in cold weather.
Open Your Curtains: During the day, make sure you open your drapes or blinds to take advantage of the sunshine. It can help make your house a few degrees warmer naturally, without turning the heater on. Just be sure to close them at night to keep that extra warmth inside.
Keep Doors Closed: Be sure to close the doors to all the rooms you won’t be using. It will save energy and money if you are only paying to heat the rooms you’re spending time in. Your bank account will thank you.
Regulate The Heat: When you are going to be out of the house for any length of time, turn down the thermostat. There is no reason to keep an empty house as warm as an occupied one.
Lose The Leaks: Find those annoying leaks and fill them. If air leaks under doors, try putting a towel in front of it to stop that excess air. If your windows leak air, pull out the insulation strips or silicone caulk and stop that draught in its tracks.
Temperature Time-Out: To save money on your electric bill, try turning your thermostat down a couple of degrees. You can save lots of kilowatt hours every month for each degree. That can add up to big savings over the winter season.
Maintain Your Frame: Make sure you perform routine maintenance every year. By making sure you change filters in your heating/cooling system you will keep that system running efficiently. Make sure your vents are clear and not blocked by dust or other debris. Check window and door seals to make sure they’re all in good shape.
By making a few changes and maintaining your home every year, you can save money and help save the environment by using less energy. We should all strive to lower our carbon footprint and that journey begins at home.