{"id":23340,"date":"2019-12-11T05:01:38","date_gmt":"2019-12-11T13:01:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/?p=23340"},"modified":"2026-02-22T15:42:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T23:42:58","slug":"beat-the-cold","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yardi.com\/blog\/beat-the-cold\/","title":{"rendered":"Beat the Cold"},"content":{"rendered":"

Those summer tees and shorts are but a memory. With fall here and winter on deck, how do you stay comfortable at home without spiking your utility bills? Here\u2019s a compilation of tips from the U.S. Department of Energy and other sources.<\/p>\n

Study up.<\/strong> Conduct an\u00a0energy audit<\/a>\u00a0to find out where you can save and invest for long-term energy savings.\"\"<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss sunshine.<\/strong> Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. Close them at night.<\/p>\n

End the draft.<\/strong> According to energy services marketplace Choose Energy, up to 30% of a home\u2019s heat can escape through low-efficiency windows. Cold air can lead into a home through cracks and gaps in windows and doorways. Covering windows and sliding doors with clear plastic film can cut about 14% from your heating bill. Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that still feel drafty. Seal any gaps with caulk or weather-stripping.<\/p>\n

Check the equipment.<\/strong> Have your heating system serviced. Replace furnace and heater filters as needed. Air filters should be replaced monthly. Clean the flue vents on wood- and pellet-burning heaters.<\/p>\n

Reset the temp.<\/strong> When you\u2019re home and awake, set your thermostat as low as possible to remain comfortable. Turn it back 10\u00b0 to 15\u00b0 at nighttime and when you\u2019re gone. A smart or programmable thermostat makes this easy.<\/p>\n

Get a smart \u2019stat.\u00a0<\/strong>Almost half of monthly energy costs are controlled by your thermostat, according to Efficiency Vermont, and Choose Energy says a programmable thermostat can cut heating costs by up to 12%.<\/p>\n

Cut your losses.<\/strong> Close your fireplace damper when not in use to keep warm air from escaping up the chimney. Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system for the fireplace. Add caulking around the fireplace hearth. Look into an\u00a0EPA-certified fireplace model<\/a>, which might qualify for a tax credit. If you don\u2019t use the fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.<\/p>\n

Water down.<\/strong> Set your water heater\u2019s temperature to the warm setting (120\u00b0F). You\u2019ll save energy plus avoid scalding your hands. A tankless heater can cut costs too.<\/p>\n

Lighten up.<\/strong> Use light-emitting diode (LED) holiday lights to cut the cost of decorating your home for the winter holidays. Look for ENERGY STAR\u00ba-certified lights<\/a>, which use 75% less energy than conventional incandescent lights strings.<\/p>\n

Switch the blade.<\/strong> Believe it or not, reversing your fan blades\u2019 rotation can cut heating costs. Since hot air rises, reverse your fan\u2019s blades to a clockwise rotation to redirect the warmth down.<\/p>\n

Develop fashion sense.<\/strong> Break out those humble scarves, earmuffs and mittens. You can save 5% for every degree you drop your thermostat between 60-70\u00baF, according to Choose Energy.<\/p>\n

Yardi has a full suite of products dedicated to efficient, cost-effective residential real estate energy management. Check them out<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Those summer tees and shorts are but a memory. With fall here and winter on deck, how do you stay comfortable at home without spiking your utility bills? Here\u2019s a compilation of tips from the U.S. Department of Energy and other sources. Study up. Conduct an\u00a0energy audit\u00a0to find out where you can save and invest […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":610,"featured_media":23341,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_s2mail":"yes","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2472,3230,4],"tags":[185,1848,1675,1552],"class_list":["post-23340","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-energy","category-energy-suite","category-news","tag-energy","tag-energy-star","tag-yardi-energy","tag-yardi-energy-suite"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nYardi Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Those summer tees and shorts are but a memory. 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