Fall & Winter Energy-Saving Tips for Pacific Northwest Homeowners
As the long, sunny days of summer fade and crisp autumn air settles across the Pacific Northwest, it’s time to start preparing your home for fall and winter. Colder months often mean turning up the thermostat or enjoying the warmth of a fireplace. While cozy, these habits can increase your energy costs depending on the type of heating you use.
Many homeowners wonder how to stay comfortable without inflating their energy bills. In this guide, we’ll share six practical energy-saving tips for fall and winter, from simple everyday habits to easy home improvements. With these strategies, you can stay cozy and comfortable all season long while keeping your electricity costs under control.
1) Maintain Your Heating System
Often, homeowners underestimate the amount of maintenance a heating system requires to function at peak performance. Routine maintenance ensures your home’s heating system is in optimal condition for the fall and winter seasons. Make sure to schedule routine maintenance each fall to prepare for colder weather. A professional will clean and inspect the coils and blower components, check electrical connections, and examine the ductwork for any issues.
Additionally, it’s important to replace furnace and heat pump filters about once per month. Clean the flue vent regularly if you have a wood- or pellet-burning heater.
2) Harness the Sun to Heat Your Home for Free
Why pay more for heat when the sun is doing it for you? On sunny fall and winter days, open curtains or blinds on south-facing windows to let the natural warmth pour into your home. Then, as night falls, close them to lock that heat inside.
If you have deciduous trees on the south side of your house, you’ve got a built-in seasonal system. In summer, the leaves block harsh sun to keep your home cool. In fall and winter, the leaves drop, allowing sunlight to stream in and warm your rooms naturally. It’s an effortless way to use nature as part of your heating strategy, and every little bit helps lower your energy bills.
3) Adjust Your Thermostat
Manage your home’s temperature with a programmable or smart thermostat. Turning back your thermostat when you’re not home can help reduce energy costs. You can save as much as 10% per year by turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day. This can be while you’re away at work or even while you sleep, especially since sleeping in cooler temperatures has been shown to improve sleep quality.
With a smart thermostat, you can schedule it to automatically turn down the temperature while you’re away or overnight.
4) Use Light Timers, Dimmers, or Sensors
Light timers or sensor-based lights help you save energy and money by shutting off the lights when they’re not needed. These devices can automatically reduce light levels or completely turn lights off when full brightness isn’t necessary. Dimmers, motion sensors, and timers are all effective tools for saving on electricity costs year-round.
Your lighting choices directly impact how much you spend each month on electricity. By switching to dimmable or motion-sensor lights, you can reduce your consumption and save on energy costs.
5) Get Energy-Efficient Lighting
Energy-efficient lighting, like LED bulbs, uses up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. You can significantly reduce your electricity costs by switching to LED lighting in your home. This is particularly important in fall and winter as the hours of daylight shorten and your reliance on artificial light increases. Energy-efficient lighting also lasts 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lights.
Although LEDs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, they save you money over time with their low energy use and long-lasting nature.
6) Upgrade Your Home’s Wiring Before Winter Hits
Flickering lights, frequent breaker trips, or climbing energy bills are more than annoyances. They may be signs your home needs new wiring. Outdated electrical systems not only waste energy but also struggle to keep up when heating systems and holiday lights push demand higher.
If your home was built before the 1990s, an inspection is especially important. A licensed electrician can determine if upgrades such as replacing aluminum wiring with copper will improve efficiency and safety. Taking action now, before the coldest months arrive, helps keep your home warm, safe, and energy efficient all winter long.
Looking to cut your energy costs right away? Check out these smart ways to save.
Electrical Safety Tips for Winter
Winter weather in the Pacific Northwest can put extra strain on your home’s electrical system. From power outages to increased heating demands, it’s important to stay safe and prepared. Check out these best practices to protect your home and family this season.
Contact Residential Electricians in Oregon & SW Washington
Powering Pacific Northwest (PPNW) offers reliable electrical contractors for residential projects. Our licensed and bonded electrical contractors are skilled in energy-efficient upgrades and can help assess your home’s systems. Lower your electrical bills with the help of PPNW this fall and winter.
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