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How to Save Energy in the Fall
Learn how to decrease your energy consumption this fall with a few money-saving tips.Written by Dominique Sabins
Edited by Jamie Cesanek
Last updated 09/12/2024
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Key Points
- Energy usage and costs rise in the fall due to cooler weather and shorter daylight.
- Fall is an ideal time for a home energy audit to address heating system and insulation inefficiencies before the winter months.
- Energy-efficient light bulbs and power strips can cut energy waste and bills.
How do you save energy in the fall?
Between cozy sweaters, pumpkin carving, and colorful leaves, it’s no wonder the fall is a favorite season for many. But with fall also comes fewer hours of daylight and cooler temperatures which can introduce higher energy costs. Adjusting your energy-saving habits is important as cooler seasons creep in. This guide provides money-saving tips and tricks for conserving energy in the fall.
Factors affecting energy usage in the fall
- Heating. As the weather cools down in late fall, households often start relying on heating systems to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Turning up the thermostat can lead to higher energy consumption.
- Appliance use. Temperature changes may influence the use of appliances. People often resort to heating appliances such as electric blankets or space heaters as temperatures drop. These devices can increase energy consumption.
- Lighting needs. As the days become shorter in the fall, there is less natural daylight. The longer periods of darkness can increase the use of artificial lighting, resulting in higher energy consumption.
Fall energy cost-saving tips
During the fall and winter months, you can take steps to reduce your energy usage and save money on your bills. Here are some money-saving tips to consider.
Setting energy-saving goals and tracking consumption
Setting energy-saving goals during the fall can help offset the higher energy demand. Tracking your energy usage with our electricity calculator and adjusting your habits as needed can help you save over time. For example, energy monitoring devices can help you reduce energy waste with real-time information on your consumption. These devices can also help track the performance of appliances. For example, you can plan for maintenance or replacement by identifying when an appliance like a washing machine or dishwasher is operating inefficiently.
Completing a home energy audit
Fall is the perfect time for an energy audit, which can help you identify issues with your heating system and the quality of your home’s insulation against cold weather. These energy audit measures will help you prepare for the winter time:
- Assess your home’s insulation. Insulation is critical to maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and lowering energy usage. An energy auditor checks insulation levels in the attic, walls, and floors to determine if they meet the recommended standards. Insufficient insulation can lead to heat loss, higher energy bills, and discomfort during colder months.
- Check the energy efficiency of windows and doors. Windows and doors are common areas where heat can escape or enter a home. Energy-efficient windows and doors have advanced insulation features and several panes of glass to cut heat transfer, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling.
- Test your HVAC system. As you move from using air conditioning in the summer to heating in the fall, an energy audit can assess the efficiency of your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). It can identify any problems with ductwork, filters, or other components hindering the system’s performance. Addressing these problems before the winter season ensures that your heating system operates efficiently and reduces energy waste.
- Ensure appliance efficiency. Inefficient appliances consume more energy than necessary to perform their intended tasks. Assessing appliance efficiency helps identify which devices may contribute to excessive energy waste and increased utility bills. Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances can save you money over time and improve performance and reliability.
Maximizing heating system efficiency
To maximize the efficiency of your heating system and lower your energy consumption and heating costs during the fall season, consider implementing the following helpful tips:
- Keep your thermostat at or below 68 degrees. Regulating the temperature in your home can save you money. The Department of Energy suggests turning back your thermostat 7–10 degrees for eight hours daily to save up to 10% per year on heating costs. Managing your home’s temperature is even easier with a programmable thermostat.
- Maintain your furnace. Regular furnace maintenance in the fall will help your heating system operate efficiently, safely, and reliably throughout winter. A properly maintained furnace consumes less energy to produce heat, leading to energy savings and reduced utility bills over time.
- Use space heaterswisely. Space heaters can consume a lot of energy, especially if used continuously. Be mindful of when and where you use them. They can be more efficient if you heat a specific room or area instead of the entire house. It’s also important to clean space heaters and not place them next to flammable materials for safety reasons.
- Take note of your fireplace. If you aren’t cozied up by the fire, keep the fireplace damper closed. When the damper is open and there isn’t a fire burning, warm air can escape through the chimney. Purchasing energy-efficient fireplace grates is also a good investment. These grates will draw cool air into the fireplace while pushing warm air back into your room.
Lighting and electricity usage
In the fall, you can optimize energy consumption by using efficient lighting and electricity practices. Here are a few examples:
- Let light and heat from windows inside. Before you leave the house, open the blinds or curtains of south-facing windows, allowing the sun to warm the room while you’re gone. Keep your curtains and blinds closed to trap the heat in areas where your home doesn’t get much sun. You can also plant trees in your yard to help with energy costs. Deciduous trees can provide shade during the summer but lose their leaves in the winter, allowing more sunlight to warm your home.
- Rely more on energy-efficient lighting. Energy-efficient lighting, such as LED bulbs, uses 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. This is especially important in the fall when the days get shorter and you rely on more artificial light. LED bulbs also last 25 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.
- Use power strips and timers. Power strips and timers control the power supply to lights and many devices, allowing you to use them only when necessary. This helps you reduce energy waste and electricity bills. Some power strips come with timers, which allow you to automate the use of lights and adjust your heating system schedule. Power strips can also help prevent overheating by distributing the electrical load.
Government incentives for energy-efficient upgrades and audits
Upgrades to energy-efficient appliances, window and door replacements, and home energy audits can be costly. The good news is you can lower your expenses with various incentive programs. The Inflation Reduction Act, a federal climate law, incentivizes home energy-efficiency upgrades. As of January 1, 2023, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $3,200 for the following items:
- Qualifying energy-efficiency upgrades completed within the year
- Costs related to residential clean energy investments (e.g., heat pumps, biomass stoves or biomass boilers)
- Home energy audits
The Internal Revenue Service administers federal incentives and has specific requirements on qualifying criteria. Many state governments and utilities also provide incentives for home energy audits, but they can vary depending on where you live. Visit the websites of your state’s energy department, environmental agency, and utility company to find location-specific incentives.
Saving energy FAQ
A good place to start saving energy is by switching to LED light bulbs. You can also lower your home’s temperature during colder months to save on heating costs.
An energy audit will check your home’s insulation and assess the efficiency of your home’s energy usage. It can help identify areas where you are wasting energy and opportunities for upgrades to save on energy costs.
Yes, the Inflation Reduction Act incentivizes home energy upgrades. As of January 1, 2023, federal tax credits of up to $3,200 are available for eligible upgrades. Eligible upgrades include energy-efficiency upgrades, clean energy investments, and home energy audits.