Autumn Energy Efficiency: Simple Home Maintenance for the Cozy Season

As autumn settles in and temperatures drop, winter is not far behind. Taking time now to prepare your house can lead to energy savings when heating bills arrive. By tackling a few quick home maintenance tasks, you can maximize your comfort while minimizing energy use.

Room-by-room autumn home energy-efficient guide
Living Areas & Bedrooms

• Reverse Fan Rotation: Flip the toggle switch on your ceiling fans so the blades spin clockwise at low speed. This pulls cool air up and pushes trapped warm air down.
• Put the Sun to Work: Open window drapes on sunny fall days to let natural warmth light up your space. Close thick or thermal curtains at dusk to trap that heat inside.
• Unblock Vents: Walk through your main living spaces to ensure couches, rugs, and drapes aren't covering supply vents or returns.

Doors & Windows

• The Candle Test for Drafts: Hold a lit candle carefully near window frames and door edges; if the flame flickers, cold air is leaking in. Seal these spots with caulk or fresh weatherstripping.
• Install door sweeps or place heavy draft stoppers along exterior doors to block low-lying cold air currents.
• Add foam insulation pads behind exterior wall outlet plates to stop air leaks.

Utility Closet & Basement

• Change your furnace filter before turning on the heat for the season. A fresh filter improves indoor air quality and allows air to move freely, saving fuel.
• Turn your water heater temperature down to 120°F. You'll still enjoy hot showers, but you won't waste electricity or gas maintaining high tank temperatures.
• Wrap exposed hot water pipes and uninsulated ductwork in with pipe insulation sleeves.

Fireplace & Exterior

• Have a qualified sweep inspect your fireplace and flue to ensure they are free of soot, creosote, and blockages.
• Keep the fireplace damper tightly closed whenever you aren't burning a fire.
• Rake away leaves, grass clippings, and twigs within two feet of your HVAC to prevent restricted airflow.

Hendricks Power Energy Advisors are here to help you

Don't wait for the first winter storm to find out where your home is losing heat. Contact our Energy Advisors today for a free, comprehensive energy audit. They'll give a personalized plan to help with your energy usage. Contact us at (317) 745-5473 or hendrickspower.com/energy-advisor.