Fall is upon us here in Connecticut – make sure you’re prepared for chilly days and nights ahead!
Here’s a checklist to help you get a handle on what needs to be done to keep your home comfortable and running efficiently this fall and winter.
Fall Efficiency Checklist
Heating system
- Have your heating system serviced, and consider high efficiency upgrades as early as possible during the season.
Cooling system
- Consider having your annual tune-up to avoid the springtime rush
Thermostat
- Set your thermostat at 68 degrees when people are home for the best balance of comfort and energy savings. Lower the temperature when no one is home, or when people are sleeping to maximize savings.
Vents
- Close vents in unused rooms
- Clear obstructions from vents to keep warm air moving
- Check your HVAC filter once a month, changing or cleaning it as necessary
Doors
- Keep doors closed between conditioned and unconditioned spaces; check and replace seals around interior doors to keep heated air from escaping
- *Weatherize exterior doors to prevent cold outdoor air from entering the house
Windows
- *Caulk exterior window frames to prevent cold outdoor air from entering
- Clear window tracks so windows seal properly
Window treatments
- Consider adding window treatments that make it easy to maximize solar gain; you can learn more about efficiency-enhancing window hacks here
Ceiling fans
- Reset the rotation of your fan blades to push rising warm air back into the room rather than drawing cooler air up (see manufacturer’s instructions for how to reverse the direction of your fan blades)
Generator
- If you have a whole house generator, have it professionally serviced; run it at least once in advance of winter to make sure it works and at least once a month during the coldest months of winter.
- Keep enough fuel on hand to last at least one week in the event of a power outage.
Water Heater
- Reset the temperature of the water heater thermostat to 120 degrees (default settings are often 130-140) to get the best balance of comfort and energy savings; for every 10 degrees you lower the temperature, you’ll save 3-5 percent on your bill, says the DOE
- Consider upgrading your conventional water heater to a tankless propane water heater or an indirect water heater to save even more money.
Attic
- *Strongly consider adding insulation to help stabilize temperatures and reduce air leaks in your home; you can get some guidance on where and how much insulation to install here.
Alarms
- Test all alarms – smoke, CO, radon detectors, etc., replacing batteries if needed
Fireplace / Wood Stove
- Close the damper to prevent heat from entering through the chimney
*Did you know that a CMC Home Energy Assessment (home energy audit) includes on-the-spot air sealing, an evaluation of the insulation in your home, and other energy efficiency measures – typically more than $1,100 worth of work – all for a single one-time payment of only $149 for electric and gas heated homes or $174 for oil and propane heated homes?
Contact us today to learn more, or call us to schedule your audit at 203-774-4059!