Fall Weather Prep: Energy-Saving Tips to Keep Your Home Cozy and Ready for Winter

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Fall is officially here, and Winter is right around the corner, which means it's time to remove those window A.C. units, batten down the hatches, and prepare for higher utility bills. As you start to prepare your home for the colder months, here is a list of tips and recommendations to keep both your energy bills down and your home warm and cozy.

Cover and Repair Windows

Install weatherstripping to keep cold air out.Photo byGetty Images

Windows can be a significant source of lost heat inside your home, especially those that are not insulated for cold weather. Ensure windows are properly sealed and weatherized to help prevent heat from escaping and cold air entering.

• Install window film: A plastic film placed over window glass—can keep up to 70% of your heat from leaking out your window. They work especially well for weatherizing old windows because you don’t need to worry about cracks or loose areas often found in older windows. Just place the film on the glass.
• Install weatherstripping. Adding weatherstripping is a great window weatherizing tip that can help keep the outside air where it belongs—outside.
• Add caulk. Caulking works best for weatherizing old windows with cracks less than ¼ inches in width on non-moveable window parts such as the frame or where the trim meets the wall.
• Install draft stoppers. Like the draft guards or door sweepers attached to the bottom of doors, window draft stoppers at the bottom of a window frame can also be an effective window weatherization strategy.
• Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing. Try not to use blackout curtains (like the ones we love in our bedroom), especially on south-facing windows, which allow sunlight to heat our homes naturally during the day.

Maintain Your Heating Systems

Check and replace central heating filters regularly.Photo byBanksPhotos / Getty Images

• Check and replace central heating filters regularly. Dirty filters trap lint, pollen, dust, and other debris that can reduce airflow. This makes your system work harder, takes longer to heat your home, and drives up costs. Make sure to check your filter every month. If it’s dirty, change it. At a minimum, replace your filter at least once every three months.
• To ensure efficient heating, regularly clean the flue vent of wood—and pellet-burning heaters and clean the inside of the appliance with a wire brush.
• If you have a conventional heating system, set your programmable thermostat to a comfortable low level and lower the setpoint when sleeping or away from home.
• Consider upgrading to a Smart Thermostat. According to the EPA, smart thermostats that meet Energy Star criteria save users an average of 8% on their utility bills.

Use Your Ceiling Fan to Keep Warm

While ceiling fans are considered a summer tool to combat the heat, they can also be used during the winter to keep warm air circulating below the fan. To do this, reverse the motor in the ceiling fan so it rotates clockwise at a low speed. This will create an updraft that forces warm air near the ceiling into the occupied space to help better distribute your heat. Remember to turn off your fan when no one is in the room to keep cutting costs.

Reduce Heat Loss from a Fireplace

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If you have a fireplace in your home (lucky you!), here are some tips for keeping it heating as efficiently as possible.

• Consider plugging and sealing the chimney flute if you have a fireplace you never use.
• Keep the fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like holding a window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney.
• When using the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox or opening the nearest window just very slightly and closing doors leading into the room. Lower the thermostat setting to between 50° and 55°F.
• Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room.
• Check the fireplace flue damper seal and make it as snug as possible.
• Purchase grates made of C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool room air into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room.
• Add caulking around the fireplace hearth.

Make Energy-Efficient Upgrades Around Your Home

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We already suggested upgrading to a Smart Thermostat, but minor adjustments, such as ensuring any outdoor holiday decorations are LED, can make a small impact.

Upgrading to energy-efficient home appliances has become more accessible thanks to President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Visit www.CleanEnergy.gov to learn more about the tax credits, rebates, and other incentives available to help you make clean energy upgrades.