Written on: August 30, 2018

It may not feel this way when you step outside, but fall is just around the corner – which means it’s time to prepare for cooler weather and the heating bills that come with it.

Here are 7 things you can do in September to make the switch over to fall as painless and efficient as possible in your Montgomery or Bucks County home:

1. Remove window air conditioners – It may be tempting to leave your window air conditioners in – but don’t. Window A/Cs create big air leaks for your heated home air to escape, so take them out for the offseason. Better yet, take them out permanently – ductless systems are a much better value.
2. Weatherize – Speaking of air leaks, did you know that you could be losing 10 percent of your heated air through cracks and gaps around your doors and windows? A small investment in caulk and door sweeps will more than pay itself in a single season – and keep your family more comfortable, too.
3. Evaluate your insulation – Most homes (especially older ones) are under-insulated – which means you’re losing a significant amount of your conditioned air through your walls, floors, attic, and crawl spaces. At minimum, make sure your attic ceiling is insulated to proper R-values, and try to address floors that border unconditioned spaces (your basement, garage, crawl space, etc.).
4. Adjust the thermostat on your water heater – The default temperature on most manufacturers’ water heaters is higher than it needs it to be. For every 10ºF reduction in temperature, you can save from three to five percent on your water heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of energy. Aim for 120 degrees F for the best balance of comfort and efficiency.
5. Learn to use your programmable thermostat – Most people have a programmable thermostat these days (if you don’t, get one), but most don’t know how to use them. That’s a shame, because programming your thermostat is one of the easiest ways we know to save money on your heating (and cooling) bills. Dig out the owner’s manual and do your homework – it could save you 5-10 percent on your seasonal bills.
6. Change your furnace filter – Start the heating season off right – with a pristine new filter for your furnace. Clogged filters cost you money now and later by making your furnace work harder than it has to, leading to high bills and unnecessary heating system repairs. Of course, the easiest way to change your filters is to get a professional tune-up, which includes filter replacement – see #7 below.
7. Sign up for a Walton Heating System Service Plan – Routine maintenance is the key to keeping your heating system running at its best and avoiding costly repairs. If you’re tempted to skip your annual tune-up, don’t – not even if you have a new system. Walton has Service Plans available for your heating oil-, propane-, and natural gas-fired heating systems, along with your heat pump and A/C.

Make your September count! Contact Walton Fuel today to find out other ways to get your fall savings underway!