Fall energy saving tips

Published September 22, 2021

After such a warm summer, some of us may be looking forward to the cooler weather of the fall season! When it comes to energy use, early fall and late spring are typically our lowest energy use months because we’re not having to heat or cool our homes very often. As a transition season, it is the perfect time to prep our homes for the cooler months ahead. Below are some tips to help you save energy and be comfortable this fall and upcoming winter.  

1. Adjust your thermostat to match the changing temperatures. If you need to cool your home, try to wait until it's 78 degrees inside before turning on the air conditioning. When you need to turn the heat on, set the thermostat to 68 degrees and turn it down further when you are asleep or away. Adjust a degree at a time as necessary to balance comfort and energy savings.   
2. Service your furnace or boiler now to make sure it runs efficiently as the weather starts to cool down. Check with your utility about potential rebates to save money on the tune up. Regularly replace furnace filters to keep your furnace running efficiently.  
3. Consider getting an energy audit to identify opportunities to make your home more energy efficient and comfortable. This is especially helpful if your home feels drafty or your energy bills seem higher than average. Contact your utility about energy audit options and rebates for efficiency improvements.    
4. Take advantage of the sun. On cool days, open your curtains and blinds throughout the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home.
5. Cook and bake efficiently. Use lids on pots and pans to reduce cooking time. Bake multiple things at once. Use crockpots and microwaves to save energy.
6. Keep fridge and freezers full but not crowded. If your fridge or freezer is empty, fill milk jugs with water to fill up space, and throw out old food if your fridge or freezer is too full.
7. Inspect and clean your fireplace. Make sure your fireplace is safe before using. Close fireplace dampers when you are not using the fireplace to prevent heat from escaping.
8. Turn off electronics not in use. Electronics that are not being used should be turned off completely to save energy.  Items such as TVs that can be turned on with a remote control are not fully turned off. A great idea for TVs, DVD’s and game consoles is to plug them into power strips and turn the power strip off. Home office areas are also great candidates for this (computers, printers, chargers, etc.).       

If you’re wondering if your energy bills are more than they should be or if there are opportunities to make them lower, sign up for a consultation at one of our free energy bill clinics. Many households are still struggling with the economic impacts of COVID-19. CUB is here to help connect you to resources that will help with energy bills. Call us at 651-300-4701 ext. 2 to set up a bill consultation and/or to get connected to resources.