October is upon us and those 90-degree days are a thing of the past. Before the frigid temperatures kick-in, we suggest the following ways to increase energy and water efficiency to keep your family safe and comfortable while managing your utilities bill.
Energy efficiency
- Service the furnace – Schedule a check-up before turning the furnace on for the first time this season and replace filters monthly or as needed.
- Find and seal leaks – Caulk and weather strip around doors and windows to eliminate air drafts that make it more expensive to heat a home.
- Close the fireplace – An open damper makes an easy funnel for warm air inside to escape, close the damper for better heating efficiency while the fireplace is not in use.
- Reverse ceiling fans – For hot weather ceiling fans should turn counter-clockwise, but for cold weather reverse fans to a clockwise rotation. This simple change pushes the warm air down and redistributes heat throughout the room.
- Natural heat – Open blinds or curtains on windows facing the sun for free heat during the day, close them at night to keep cool air outside.
- Set your thermostat – Drop the thermostat to a comfortable temperature to reduce excess heating. When asleep or out of the house, lower the thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees. A smart programmable thermostat can help automatically make those changes and can sync with a household’s schedule. Plus, we offer customers a $50 rebate on qualifying smart thermostats.
Water efficiency
- Continue Water Wise efforts – Support the wise use of water and reduce your number of watering days as the weather cools. Find tips on fall watering here.
- Fill washers – Wash only full loads in the dishwasher and clothes washer to maximize water use.
- Fix the drips – A few drops of water from a faucet may not seem like a lot, but they add up quickly.
Natural gas safety
- Call 811 to avoid calling 911 – Before any fall projects that require digging, call 811 to have Springs Utilities mark underground electric, gas and water lines. It’s free and it’s the law.
- Check exterior appliance vents – Critters, snow and ice can all be problematic by blocking air flow from appliances to vents outside the home. Check vents frequently to avoid furnace or other appliance issues.
- Keep an eye on pilot lights – If the water heater pilot light goes out, get it inspected immediately. Appliances not working properly are a leading cause for carbon monoxide issues.
Wastewater system
- Can the grease – Fall ushers in football games, Thanksgiving and other reasons for lots of good food, but remember to never put cooking grease down the drain. Fats, oil and grease can build up in pipes and cause a wastewater backup. Dispose of grease by wiping off surfaces with paper towels or pouring liquid grease into a can or glass container to be thrown in the trash can.
- Wipes clog pipes - even if the packaging says "flushable", you should never flush disposable wipes. They don't break down quickly and can get stuck in your wastewater pipes, causing a blockage. Don't risk it - throw 'em in the trash instead.