Nothing is more confusing than Mother Nature’s temperamental changing of the seasons. Here are a few tips and hints for energy-saving ways to get through transitioning seasons.
Fall and Winter Energy Saving Tips
Fall officially arrives in September, which means cooler temperatures, tree leaves changing colors, and giant swings in temperature depending on where you live. This can make it hard to know how to keep your home comfortable without sacrificing the environment. Start using the following tips to help maintain an eco-friendly home during the changing seasons.
Keep Your Home at the Same Temperature All Day
One of the best ways to keep your home eco-friendly during the changing seasons is to keep a consistent temperature in your home. As the temperature fluctuates throughout the day it can be tempting to constantly change your thermostat to keep you and your home at a comfortable temperature. However, to be eco-friendly, keep your house at the same temperature all day long so that your AC and heating do not have to work so hard. This approach will help you use less energy during these changing seasons.
Seal All Your Doors and Windows
This transition between the two seasons is the perfect time to take a look at your home and see where air might be escaping. This home-energy saving tip will help you be ready for the cold winter months and also help you use less energy overall. With the doors and windows checked don’t forget to take a look at your outlets as those can potentially let air escape out of them. Making sure your home is free of any leaks will help prevent your heater from working overtime this fall as the temperature cools down.
Open Your Blinds
This may seem like a simple task to do, but it can make a huge difference when it comes to changing seasons. Opening your blinds during the day will not only let in the light but the heat from the sun. Especially in the fall, the sun can help warm your home naturally without using your heater unnecessarily. The opposite is true at night or if your home is covered by trees. If your home doesn’t get much sunlight, keep your blinds closed to try and keep the heat inside your home so it doesn’t escape outside.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
Reset your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise. Warm air rises. Changing the direction of your ceiling fans will help push warm air back down to you and distribute it evenly.
Check Your HVAC Filter
Fall is the perfect time to check in on your HVAC filter and see if it needs to be replaced or not. The transitioning season is the perfect time to see if your home has quality airflow which can affect how your heater and AC are working during this time of year. It can also make a big difference in the winter when it is necessary to heat your home. Keeping a clean HVAC filter is a simple way to be more energy-efficient and help the environment around you.
Spring and Summer Energy-Saving Tips
Things start heating up again at the end of May and into June. It’s sweaters in the morning and shorts in the afternoon weather. Here are a few spring and summer energy-saving tips you can make to keep your home from expending too much energy in all the confusion.
Update Your Window Treatments
Now is the time to close your drapes, shades, and blinds on the sunniest side (generally the south side) of your home. To keep the house cool, block incoming sunlight as much as possible throughout the day. You might even consider window awnings on your home’s exterior or window film designed to help cut heat.
Service Your Air Conditioner
A yearly tune-up removes dirt and debris, catches problems early, and helps your air conditioner run more efficiently. Then, a programable thermostat can help your AC continue to work properly. Use fans to keep cool in your immediate area rather than cooling the whole house. Keep lamps or other heat sources away from the thermostat and resist the urge to lower the temperature significantly just to try and cool off your house faster. It doesn’t provide faster relief, and it forces your AC to work harder than it needs to.
Use Appliances Sparingly
Remember that dishwashers, dryers, and other large appliances create a lot of heat. Resist the urge to run frequent, small batches every day. Try to only run these appliances when you have a full load to use the energy best and keep your house cool. You might even consider cooking in batches to avoid excess heat from the stove and oven.
Switch to LED Bulbs
LED bulbs use much less electricity than their traditional counterparts; they last longer, and they give off less heat. It’s a triple win for keeping your home cool and saving electricity.
Implementing these energy-saving tips will have you ready for an eco-friendly fall. Another helpful tip is to look at where you are getting your energy from. Spring Power and Gas is an eco-friendly company that takes initiative on being involved in the community and rewards you for how eco-friendly you are. Learn about our year-round energy saving tips or contact us today and reduce your impact on the environment.
