Taking time to improve energy efficiency pays off year-round. With natural gas prices on the rise, now is the time to make your home or business energy efficient for the fall and winter months. When you save energy, you lower your bill too.
These small changes are affordable, shouldn’t take much time (unless you forget something at the hardware store and have to make a second trip) and will make a big impact:
- Weatherstripping and caulking are low-cost ways to conserve energy and make your home more comfortable, since about 50% of your utilities bill can go to heating and cooling. Look for cracks, gaps and holes around interior and exterior doors, window frames, walls and vents.
- Have your furnace or heating system serviced now before heating season. Remember to change your air filter every 30 days so your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard.
- During heating season, set your thermostat as low as comfortable. At night or when you leave home, set it back a couple of degrees.
- Use the sun. Open shades or curtains to take advantage of the heat from the sun. Living a mile high has its benefits, especially the sun’s natural warmth.
- Most ceiling fans have a switch to change the fan blade direction. For colder weather months, flip the switch to clockwise so warm air near the ceiling is pushed up to spread throughout the room.
In the market for a new appliance? We have rebates on smart thermostats, furnaces, water heaters and more. Visit our efficiency at home webpage for more energy-saving tips and ways to save.