Written on: September 16, 2016

5 Things You Can Do To Save Energy As the Weather Cools

Cooler weather is coming, and with it comes your heating bills.

Want to keep those bills as low as possible? Try these five great bang-for-the-buck energy saving tips.

1. Take advantage of heat from the sun – Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce heat loss and cold air in-draft.
2. Cover drafty windows – Tape a heavy-duty clear plastic sheet or film inside your window frames during the cold winter months. Seal the plastic tightly to the frame to help reduce drafts. Use tight fitting insulating drapes or shades on windows in your living room and bedroom.
3. Use a programmable thermostat – A programmable thermostat makes it easy to control temperatures to save money. When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable; when you are asleep or out of the house, dial your thermostat back a few degrees. All of this can be done automatically by setting a timer on your thermostat.
4. Find and seal leaks – Seal the air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes (called “plumbing penetrations”), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and in unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows. A minimal weatherizing investment could save you hundreds of dollars over the course of a heating season, when up to 20 percent of your warmed air can escape through drafts.
5. Maintain your heating systems – Schedule annual service for your heating system. An annual tune-up makes it easy to keep your heating system operating efficiently and reduce the likelihood of repairs. Annual preventative maintenance is included in all of Westmore’s high-value service plans.

Don’t wait for cold weather to arrive – prepare for it today! Sign up for a Westmore Service Plan and we’ll help you start saving right away.