Energize Your Fall

This article courtesy of Feed the Pig. Copyright 2011 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Back-to-school supply and end of summer clothing sales are everywhere. But what about household savings? Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of the mild temperatures and cut down your energy costs. Here are some easy ways to save.


Light change. As the days get shorter, and you find yourself turning on lights more frequently, make the switch to energy efficient light bulbs. According to the EPA, if every household in the U.S. switched their conventional bulbs in their five most frequently used light fixtures with bulbs that have the ENERGY STAR, we would prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from nearly ten million cars! Not to mention saving big bucks on your energy bill.


Seal to save. Poor insulation and sealing is a serious energy sucker; it lets out the air you're paying to heat or cool. You can reduce air leakage and weatherproof your house by caulking and weather-stripping around all doors and windows. Attics, basements and outside walls are also common places that people forget to insulate. Adequate insulation helps you keep your home warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer and save money year round; reducing air leaks could cut ten percent from an average household's monthly energy bill.

Turn back your thermostat. Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower. If you feel chilly, pull out a sweater or blanket instead of immediately cranking up the heat. You may also consider using a programmable thermostat that can automatically adjust the temperature when you are away. For every degree you lower your thermostat you save about two percent off your heating bill.

Make way for heat. A dirty chimney or vent is like having a stuffed up nose for a heating system. It makes the system work harder, which wastes energy. Help your house's air flow easily by checking your heating system every year. It is recommended that you change or clean furnace filters once a month while in regular use. It's also a good idea to close the vents in rooms that are not used frequently; no need to pay to heat or cool unused space.

QUICK TRICK: Place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room.

Saving energy is good for your wallet and the environment. To estimate your personal or family's greenhouse gas emissions and explore the impact of taking various actions to reduce your emissions with this Household Emissions Calculator.


Visit www.feedthepig.org for more money-saving tips.