Fall and Winter Energy Saving Tips

We have the strategies to help you save energy, save money, and stay comfortable during the cool fall and cold winter months. We promise those lower temperatures are coming! A typical American family spends nearly $2,000 per year on their home energy bills. Start with these fall and winter energy saving tips to bring that amount down. The savings from each individual tip might be small, but when you start putting them together they add up quickly!

Energy Saving Tips
  1. Seal any exposed heating duct joints and wrap any ducts that are not already insulated in the attic and the crawl space. Up to 15 percent to 30 percent of the heated air from your furnace is lost through cracks and openings at the duct joints.
  2. Add insulation to improve R-values in attics, floors above unconditioned basements and crawlspaces, and basement walls.
  3. Seal attic air leaks and spray expanding foam in basement leaks, such as around cables coming into the house.
  4. If you have an older hot water tank, check to see if it has insulation with an R-value of at least 24. If not, consider insulating your water tank to prevent heat loss. A tank that is warm to the touch needs additional insulation.
  5. Keeping your HVAC system properly maintained will save money on your heating costs. Also, keeping supply and return air vents clear of furniture and appliances will allow your system to work more efficiently.
  6. A dirty filter can require your furnace/heat pump work harder than necessary. Check your filter monthly during times of high usage, and replace it when it gets dirty.
  7. Keep the damper closed when your fireplace isn’t in use to prevent all the warm air it creates from making a quick exit.
  8. Some of the biggest home-energy and money wasters are windows and doors because of the heat they let out and cool air they let in. If it’s not in budget or it’s not time to replace them, adding additional weather stripping may do the trick.
  9. Exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom pull the hot air that rises to the ceiling out of your home. Use exhaust fans sparingly in cooler months, and shut them off as soon as you are done.
  10. Open the curtains on your south-facing windows during winter days to bring free heat into your home. Close your window coverings when the sun goes down to keep the heat inside.
  11. Setting your ceiling fan clockwise will trap heat inside to keep your rooms warmer during cooler months. Turn it to a low setting to gently push hot air back down.

We would be happy to discuss more energy saving solutions with you. Northside Tool Rental has the tools to complete all your home improvement projects. Our experts are here to guide!

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