Five Simple Savings Solutions for Fall Comfort

It’s finally fall, and the best part is everything is pumpkin-spiced. The second best part is being able to enjoy open windows and cool, refreshing breezes in the early part of the season. But with downright cold winter temperatures around the corner, it will soon be time to flip the switch on your heating system.

Here are five easy ways you can improve your comfort and boost the efficiency of your heating system without breaking the bank.

Replace or clean furnace filters monthly.
During the height of the heating season, filters should be replaced or cleaned more often than you think. Set up an alert on your smartphone to remind you to do this once a month. Clean filters help heat circulate throughout your home more efficiently and prolong the life of your heating equipment.

Reverse the direction of ceiling fans.
Ceiling fans do more than keep you cool in the summer. In the fall and winter, set your fan to spin clockwise. Warm air gets sucked up and bounces off the ceiling and back down to the ground, similar to how a convection oven works. The result is a cozy feeling from the greater distribution of heat.

Remove window air conditioners.
They can be a headache to install, so it’s tempting to just leave window AC units in year-round. But keeping them in your windows means a greater chance of energy leaks and drafts. If you’re dead set on keeping them in, you can use caulk to seal gaps while wrapping the unit with an insulated jacket.

Keep fireplace flue closed when not in use.
Nothing beats the ambiance of a fire glowing and crackling on a crisp fall night in New England. But when the fire is out, make sure you close the flue to keep the warm air in your home from going up the chimney.

Program your thermostat.
If you haven’t done so already, spending 10 minutes programming your thermostat can help you save as much as 10% on heating costs. You’ll want to lower the temperature by 7-10 degrees while you’re away to get the most savings. For even more convenience and remote control, consider installing a Wi-Fi enabled thermostat.

To make a bigger impact on the efficiency of your heating system and lower your bills even more, it’s worth looking into improving the insulation and air sealing needs of your home. The best way to do that is to get the advice of an Energy Specialist when you schedule a no-cost home energy assessment through Mass Save.

Or perhaps you already know it’s time to replace your heating system. In that case, explore the valuable rebates we offer on high-efficiency heating equipment.