Energy Tips That Can Help You Save Year Round

Keep energy savings all season long now that crisp, sunny days and clear, cool nights provide the perfect opportunity to open up your window, let the fresh air in and enjoy the weather – not to mention the energy savings. Here’s how these energy tips can keep energy savings all season long:

1. Rearrange your furniture to keep you warmer without turning up the heat. Move your sofa and chairs to the interior walls, so that they are out of the drafts that can come in through exterior walls and windows.
2. Schedule an HVAC professional to clean your home’s ducts before it’s time to turn on the furnace. Your system’s efficiency can be reduced by as much as 20 percent by damaged or blocked ducts.
3. Enjoy your wood-burning fireplace on mild days in autumn and early winter. When outdoor temperatures drop below 30 degrees F, your fireplace can actually pull more cold air into your home through cracks and crevices, forcing your furnace to work harder.
4. Replace the 5 most frequently used lights in your home with compact fluorescent bulbs. These more efficient bulbs produce less heat and waste less and keep energy savings all season long. The savings can be considerable during the shorter days of the fall and winter.
5. Vacuuming and wiping clean light bulbs and lighting fixtures can also help save energy. Dust and kitchen grease can build up and reduce the bulb’s brightness, requiring you to turn on more fixtures to get the light you need.
6. Drain your hot water tank annually to reduce the sediment that settles to the bottom of the tank, creating a barrier between the water and the heating element. Keep the water temperature set at 120 degrees F, as the higher the water temperature, the faster the sediment builds up inside.

Following these energy tips can keep energy savings all season long and give you extra money for pumpkins, Halloween candy and a big fat turkey for Thanksgiving dinner!