What happens, though, when the dropping exterior temperatures cause your energy bill to rise? If you're like those of us at The Property Shop At The Lake, you're not a big fan of steep energy bills. Fortunately, you may be able to avoid high energy costs this fall with these simple but effective energy saving techniques!
1. Check The Insulation In Your Attic
Your attic is probably responsible for at least 15% of your home's total heat loss. Heat rises, so ensuring that you have proper insulation in your ceiling and attic is crucial if you want to keep your heating costs down!
2. Seal Around Windows And Doors
Cracks around windows and doors are other prime spots for heat loss. One way to test for cracks is to hold a candle in front of the window/door; if the flame flickers, it's a good sign that there are cracks that need to be sealed up.
3. Use Space Heaters
You'll still have to burn electricity to run your space heaters, but these small, portable heaters use significantly less energy than your overall heating system. The space heaters allow you to focus the heat on the rooms you're in, rather than heating your entire house.
4. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
During the summer months, you probably had your ceiling fans set to pull warm air upwards. Now that fall is here, you should reverse your fans so that they push the warm air back down to where you are. Make sure your fans are rotating in a clockwise direction until summer returns.
There's no point in paying to heat water hotter than you need! Most experts recommend setting your hot water heater to 120°. If it's hotter than this, you risk scalding yourself. Lowering the temperature protects both you and your electric bill.
6. Replace Your Air Filter Every 2-3 Months
Your HVAC system works by recycling the air in your home to warm it back up (or cool it down, as the case may be). As it does this, all of the air must pass through the filter. If the filter is clogged or dirty, your system has to work harder to pass the air through it - thus increasing your electric bill. Don't make your heater work harder than it needs to!
7. Lower The Thermostat When You Sleep Or Leave Town
Why should you spend lots of money on heat when you're not there to enjoy it? If you go out of town, we recommend dropping your thermostat to around 55-58°. When you sleep, consider setting it between 60-65°. It will make a big difference.
8. Open Curtains During The Day And Close Them At Night
Take advantage of the sunlight by opening all your curtains and blinds during the day to let the sun naturally heat your home. When night falls, close them to add an extra layer of insulation over your windows.
What Did We Miss?
If you have another tried-and-true energy saving tip, leave us a comment and let us know! We always love hearing new ideas.
Contact The Property Shop For All Your Real Estate Needs!
If you're in the market to sell or buy a house at the Lake of the Ozarks, contact our team of experienced Missouri real estate agents. We would be honored to help you in any way we can! We look forward to working with you in the near future.
The Property Shop at the Lake
2086 Horseshoe Bend Parkway
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
(573) 693-1100
(573) 480-7760
