Fall energy-efficiency checklist: Save energy as the seasons change

Fall is the ideal time to prep your home for the cooler months ahead. Taking a little time now for simple maintenance and quick energy-saving upgrades will keep your space warm, lower your utility bills, and help prevent costly winter emergencies before they happen.

Here is your essential fall checklist to boost home efficiency, maximize comfort, and save money all season long.

Change your thermostats settings

As the temperatures start to dip, set an energy-saving schedule for your heating. This can cut your energy bill and extend the life of your HVAC system. 

According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% a year on your heating and cooling costs by turning your thermostat back 7-10°F from its normal setting for eight hours a day.

During the heating season, the recommended thermostat settings for heating look something like this:

• 68 degrees when you’re awake and home
• As cool as is comfortable while sleeping
• 60 degrees when you’re out of the house

Change your ceiling fan direction

Did you know the direction your ceiling fan turns can make a difference in how comfortable your home feels? In the summer, ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze.

Most fans can reverse direction (look for a small switch on the body of your fan). This will push warm air near the ceiling back down to groundlevel, making it feel more comfortable and requiring less heat from your furnace or heat pump.

Newer models of ceiling fans have a switch right on the remote control that allows you to change the direction of rotation.

Change your furnace or heat pump filters

One of the most important and often overlooked fall home maintenance tasks is replacing the air filters to your air conditioning, heat pump, or furnace.

Dirty filters not only make your HVAC system work harder (and use more energy) but can also lead to poor indoor air quality. 

Replace your filters at least once every three months, or more often if needed. Check your owner's manual for special instructions for your particular model of furnace or air conditioner.

Use your windows wisely

Inspect your doors and windows for drafts. If you find any, it’s an easy job to install new caulking or weatherstripping to plug them up. You can also cover them tightly, including the frame, with plastic film on the inside. Tight-fitting shades or drapes may help with draftiness as well. 

Open the curtains during the day to let sunlight in and take advantage of its warmth. Make sure to close the curtains at night to reduce the chill coming off the window surface into the rest of your home.

Get your HVAC system serviced

Fall is an excellent time to get your furnace or heat pump serviced. If issues arise, it won’t be as cold as it will be later, and HVAC technicians may be less busy. 

Check your insulation

Check the insulation up in your attic or down in your basement or crawl space. When it gets colder, home insulation keeps heat inside. 

There are some DIY steps and checks that are fairly simple or you can get an expert assessment of what you have and need.

Change old door and window seals

Check your doors and windows for broken or missing seals. They can become dried out, cracked, or loose, letting in drafts and making your home less energy-efficient.

If you can see daylight around your doors or windows or if you feel a draft when they’re closed, it is time to replace the seals. You can usually remove and replace the old caulk or weatherstripping on your own.

Tips for better energy efficiency year round

Energy-efficient homes cost less to operate and are more comfortable to live in. Here are a few easy tips you can use to make your home more energy efficient this fall, and be ready for winter weather.

Install efficient appliances and fixtures: Energy Star-certified appliances are up to 40% more efficient than traditional models, so they can help you save money on your utility bills. Energy Star-certified light bulbs use up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

Educate your family about energy efficiency: Easy, sacrifice-free energy saving habits, like turning off lights when you leave a room and wearing layers of clothing instead of turning up the heat, can make a big difference. You’ll only do them if you know about them.

Use smart technology: Smart devices can help you save energy and money, and prevent damage to your home. Smart thermostats can automate an energy saving heating schedule, so you save without thinking.

Get your home inspected by a professional: A home energy audit identifies how your home loses heat through faulty seals, cracks or wear in the home structure itself, or poor or lacking insulation, among other things. Get this information in the fall and make improvements ahead of winter. 

Harness solar power: While solar panels generate less electricity in the winter, it’s a great time to shop for them. Given the lengthy process solar installations go through, they’re more likely to be installed just in time for the sun to get stronger and generate more electricity (and savings) right from your roof.

If you are thinking about solar panels or other energy upgrades at home, explore Palmetto’s Savings Maximizer.

Frequently asked questions

How can I save energy in the fall?

For many homes, improving insulation is an important first step. Then setting an energy-saving thermostat schedule with energy-saving temperature setting. Other ways to save energy include replacing your HVAC air filters as needed and seeing if doors and windows need new or updated caulking, sealing, or weatherstripping.

Is a home energy audit worth it?

A home energy audit is a good idea any time of the year. It can be especially worthwhile in the fall as checking for ways your home loses heat ahead of winter will give you time to make improvements or upgrades before it’s a major problem. 

What can I do if I live in a drafty house?

If you’re feeling drafts around doors and windows, you can add, or remove and replace, caulking and weatherstripping where needed. Curtains or blinds can help block drafts, too. Installing new energy-efficient windows and doors can eliminate drafts in common problem areas, too.