Fall is approaching and, with it, the prospect of colder weather ahead. Now is a great time to prepare your home for winter. Here are a few tips to help you make your home more efficient – and save money on energy bills – when the cooler weather arrives.
First, let the sunshine in! Opening your curtains during the day allows the sun to bring heat into your home through the windows. If you already have energy efficient insulated windows, they will help to keep that warm air inside. Be sure to close the curtains at night to minimize the heat loss.
Second, adjust your thermostat at night. The Department of Energy estimates you can save 10{fae1a855b39eae7b78c1a91ef973cf61cc3ec3a5915d4e0f9fd7c1cc67cf0d04} per year on your heating costs by turning your thermostat down 10-15 degrees at night. A programmable thermostat will do this for you, and you can set it to raise the temperature in the morning, so you won’t have to climb out of a warm bed and into a cold room. Throw an extra blanket on and let the savings add up!
Third, be sure to get your furnace serviced and change the filters regularly so your it can perform at its optimum, money-saving best. The harder it works, the more money you spend. A little preventive maintenance in the fall will pay dividends in the long run not only on your heating costs but for your furnace as well.
Lastly, prevent leaks. Drafty windows and doors are uncomfortable and expensive. Look for areas where old caulking may need to be replaced and seal the joints. You may need to consider replacing your windows and doors if they are old and inefficient. If so, the Energy Trust of Oregon is a great place find out about energy saving weatherization products and check out any rebates that may be available.
For more information about upgrading your current windows, give us a call or stop by one of our showrooms. We love visiting with our customers!