4 Tricks That Keep Your Fall HVAC Bills Super Low
Okay, to be fair, we are not in true “fall weather” yet. The good news about that, though, is that if you do things right during our fall season, you could end up with crazy low utility bills.
To keep your fall bills super low, follow these “tricks”:
Drop the temperature at night
Open your windows (for people who are still running the AC)
Open your drapes during the day
Schedule heating maintenance now (before the cold weather)
We’ll explain the logic behind each of these tips below.
Trick #1: Drop the temperature at night
Why this works: The lower you set your thermostat, the less often your heat/ac will run at night (which saves you money).
The average low temperatures in Jackson during the fall season are:
September- low of 61
October- low of 49
November- low of 39
December - low of 31
That said, it might be tempting to keep your thermostat set somewhere in the mid to low 70s. But that means your system will likely run a lot during the night to keep your home warm. Or if you like to keep your home cooler that night then you are missing a great chance to have lower temps without the high electric bill.
Instead, we suggest dropping the thermostat to 65° about thirty minutes to a hour before bed. Of course, if you’re willing to drop it lower, go for it.
Just remember, the less your system runs through the night, the less energy it’s consuming (and the less electricity you’re being charge for).
Trick #2: Open your windows (for people who are still using their AC)
Why this works: when the weather is cooler than the set temperature on your thermostat your home will be warmer than it is outside. If you like a cool house then open your windows to bring in the chilly fall weather inside. Plus you will save money and energy since your system will not be running. Of course do not leave your windows open if you are not going to be home or if the temperature is to rise above your normal setting.
Trick #3: Open the drapes during the day
Why this works: Opening the drapes during the day (while you’re out) allows heat into your home. This keeps your home warmer at night, which means you won’t have to run the heat as much. Of course if you still want to keep your home cool then keep them close.
Let’s face it, “fall” daytime temperatures are still pretty warm. For example:
October daytime temperatures: average high of 74°
November daytime temperatures: average high of 62°
You might be in the habit of keeping your shades drawn to keep the summer heat out of the home, but we suggest keeping them open if you want to warm up your home.
Over the course of the day, your home will accumulate heat. Which means, when the temperatures drop in the evening, your home will still maintain that heat and you won’t have to run the heat nearly as much.
If you want to keep that heat in your home even longer, just draw the shades/curtains at night. This will help prevent heat loss through the night.
Trick #4: Get your heating system maintained before winter
Why this works: Getting heating maintenance keeps your system efficient—which means lower energy bills.
Getting maintenance before the cold season hits means your system will already be prepared to run smoothly and efficiently. Which means you’ll start saving money on energy bills right away (instead of halfway through the cold season).
Plus, when you schedule maintenance ahead of time, you’ll beat the rush. Most homeowners wait until the first pass of cold weather to call us for maintenance. Which means, if you wait until the cold weather arrives to schedule maintenance, you likely won’t get the appointment day and time that you want. But when you schedule ahead of time, you get priority scheduling.
So, schedule your heating maintenance now to save time and money.
