With the crisp breeze, beautiful foliage, and endless supply of pumpkin spice lattes, it’s no surprise that people love the fall season. It’s also a time to celebrate family, fun holiday festivities, and delicious food. While you enjoy a nice break from the summer heat, it’s also an excellent time to get into better energy-saving habits. Today, Electrical Experts is giving you the advice you need to conserve around the home this season.
Unplug electronic devices
Any device that stays plugged in is going to continue to pull energy. It’s important to unplug electronic devices, especially appliances that you don’t use very often. This can apply to toaster ovens, speakers, and chargers. Chargers, especially, are something that most people leave left in even after it’s reached a full battery.
Lower dishwasher and washer settings
Unless it’s absolutely necessary, you should get in the habit of washing clothes in cold water. A majority of the energy used when washing your clothes is to heat the water up. Now your clothes won’t shrink and you can save a lot more energy!
Allow natural light in
Let the sun do some of the heating for you! On days when it’s sunny, you should open up the blinds or curtains of south-facing windows. This will allow the sun to naturally warm up the room while you’re out at work. Don’t forget to close them when you’re back home to capture that free heat and lock it inside.
Set your thermostats back
With the kids back in school and weather cooling down, you can set your thermostats to the optimal settings. Keep it at 68 degrees or lower when you’re sleeping or out of the house. The Department of Energy even says that turning back your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day can save you 10% on heating costs.
Energy-efficient lighting
One of the best parts about the holiday festivities is decorating and lighting plays a major role. You don’t have to break the bank this year. One of the most energy-efficient technologies to come out has been LED lighting. These lights use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than the common household incandescent light. When you purchase new decorations this season, try searching for LED bulbs.
Replace your HVAC filter
Getting behind on seasonal HVAC maintenance can waste energy. When you don’t replace your air filter, dust and allergens build up, reducing the airflow. This puts a strain on your heating and cooling system, so it has to work extra hard. Changing the filter will also cut down on any allergies you may be experiencing!
Get a humidifier
The colder seasons can be extremely dry. Humidity helps warm air stay trapped inside, so your thermostat doesn’t have to work as hard to change to the fluctuating temperatures.
Change the direction of your fan
Believe it or not but your ceiling fan is important, even during the cooler months. Fans can help circulate heated air and keeps you warm. Before you turn on your fan, turn the direction so it runs clockwise. When you do this, your ceiling fan will push warm air back down since it rises. The circulation from the fan will also distribute the air evenly around your home. Just remember to change the fans back when the hotter months come back around. Don’t have any fans? Electrical Experts can install a new one for you!
Contact Electrical Experts today
We have been serving the Chicopee and Hampshire county for more than 60 years. If you’re interested in a reliable, licensed electrician, we’re the company to call. Contact us online or give us a call at (413) 276-4787 and we’ll take care of your electrical projects.