Energy Saving Tips for Fall & Winter
The chilly fall and winter months can quickly start to heat up your energy bill instead of heating your home. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite free or low-cost energy saving tips & tricks to help you save throughout the colder months. Use these tips to keep your home warm and conserve energy during this Northwest fall and winter.
Prevent air leaks and cover drafty windows.
A simple and inexpensive way to keep your home warmer is to ensure that windows and doors are properly sealed. Add caulk or weatherstripping to create a seal around leaky areas. Use clear plastic film or heavy-duty clear plastic sheets on the inside of windows to keep cold air at bay. You can also install insulated drapes and window shades for extra protection against the cold.
Utilize the heat from the sun.
Yes, sunny days are quite rare during an Oregon fall and winter. But, when we do get a rare blue sky, take advantage of it! Open your curtains let sunlight heat your home naturally.
Turn down your water heater.
An easy way to save a little extra on heating costs is to turn down your water heater to the warm setting (about 120°F). Heating up water can account for close to 18% of your total energy consumption.
Use your fireplace wisely.
Your fireplace can be great for adding some extra warmth, but it can also be a source of heat loss if you aren’t careful. Make sure your fireplace is properly sealed when not in use by keeping the damper closed. Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system to help blow warm air into your home.
Deck your home with energy-efficient holiday lights.
No need to skip out on decorating your home with great energy-efficient holiday decor options. Light-emitting diode (LED) string lights will help reduce the cost of decorating by using less energy.
Adjust your thermostat.
If you have a programmable thermostat, utilize your time away from home to turn down your furnace. Turning your thermostat down when sleeping or at work can provide significant savings during the winter.
Schedule annual maintenance.
The best way to make sure you’re heating system is running as efficiently as possible? Scheduling annual maintenance with Columbia Heating and Cooling. Our NATE certified technicians will ensure your system is running at peak performance and is ready for the cold months ahead.
Schedule now and save! We’re currently offering tune-up specials for your furnace, fireplace or air conditioner. Combine any two tune-ups and save an additional $10 off the total cost. This special lasts through December 31st – give us a call today!