The past few years have found all of us looking at rising energy costs which seem to have been multiplied by the slow economy. Whether you are thinking about ways to “go green” or you simply want to lower your monthly out of pocket energy costs, we’ve compiled some tips to help you out.

Tip 1: Lower your thermostat setting. This is the single best thing you can do to lower the cost of heating your home. Dropping the temperature just a few degrees can easily cut your heater’s operating time dramatically. You’re thinking right now, “but I don’t like to feel cold”. So here are several tips to make you feel warmer even though the house temperature is lower.

Wear more clothing. When you are at home wear sweats or sweaters. You could even consider wearing long johns under your clothing, even in doors. It makes a huge difference in how warm the home feels to you.

Wear socks and slippers. It’s very true that if your feet are cold the rest of you will feel cold.

Use an electric blanket at night.  If you are asleep from 11pm till 6am, why does the kitchen need to be warm? Turn the thermostat down so the rest of the house is cooler, saving energy, and use the blanket to keep you toasty warm as you sleep. An electric blanket uses much less energy than your home heating unit.

Place area rugs in the rooms that have hard surface floors. This not only helps to retain heat but it also helps to feel warmer as you walk so that you once again have the feeling of being warmer.

Tip 2: Check for window and door leaks and install new weather stripping where needed. Some say to hold a lit match in front of a window or door to see if drafts come in and blow the flame. We suggest using a lightweight feather instead. A very small lightweight feather will move in a slight draft just as well as a lit match, and it’s much safer. Not to mention you’ll save the cost of burning through a book of matches.

Tip 3: If you are in an older home you may want to consider replacing your windows with new energy efficient ones.

Tip 4: Go around the exterior of your home and fill in cracks with caulk. Anywhere that two different surfaces meet such as bricks to wood, need to be sealed up. If cold wind is allowed to enter these cracks it dramatically reduces the efficiency of the insulation inside your walls.

Tip 6: Insure that your attic has adequate insulation. This is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to increase the overall insulation factor of your home. Have a professional come out to measure and evaluate the insulation and give you pricing on increasing it if needed.

Tip 7: Use door sweeps at the bottom of exterior doors. Place your hand on the floor next to the bottom of all exterior doors, or use that feather we talked about before, and determine if there is a cold draft entering under the door. If so , install a door sweep to block that cold air from entering your home. There are many types and models of door sweeps on the market; many of which are very inexpensive and can be found at any local hardware store.

We cannot go without saying in any article about saving energy that the best way to save energy is to make sure you have an energy efficient furnace. If your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old you should consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified furnace, which is 15% more efficient than a conventional furnace. If you have a boiler, consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR qualified boiler that is 5% more efficient than a new, standard model.

Nature has ways of letting you know what’s going on. Like with the change from Summer to Fall, the signs are there. The leaves on the trees lose their Summer green, leaving behind the red, yellow, orange and brown that you think of as the Fall landscape. The days get shorter, and they get a good bit cooler too. Your home also has ways of letting you know what’s going on. Energy efficiency is a particularly “hot topic” for cold weather, so use these points as guides to making your home more energy-efficient.

• Lowering thermostats can lower energy bills. Studies show that for every degree you lower the temperature on your thermostat, you can save 2% on your heating bill. Keep your thermostat set to 68 degrees when you’re at home or lower when you’re asleep or away. A programmable thermostat can adjust these settings for you.

• Reducing air leaks also reduces energy use. Windows and doors should be sealed properly to keep warm air in, cold air out. Other common air leak locations are floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, fireplaces, plumbing and electrical outlets. A home energy survey can show you how you’re losing warm air without realizing it.

• Humidifiers can add moisture. The air you’re breathing inside your home is also subject to seasonal change. For example, if you’ve got dry skin, cracked finger tips, and a scratchy throat, the warmth in your home may be drying out your air. By maintaining the right humidity levels, you’ll also feel warmer at lower thermostat settings -thus, aiding your energy efficiency goal.

• Have your furnace checked. As furnace use kicks in, one of the most serious concerns you face is the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. This is an odorless, colorless gas that can build up when furnaces aren’t properly ventilated, causing serious illness. Make sure your furnace is checked each year by a professional. Call us to schedule a time.

Who says New Year’s is the only time for your “get more fit” resolution? Actually, the seasonal change that brings us the wonders of Autumn could be a better choice. The weather is more cooperative. You’ll prepare your mind and body to deal with the overindulgence of the holiday season. And you’ll lay the groundwork for better health when the new year does roll around. Here are some fall activities anyone can enjoy.

Outdoor activities – Enjoying the colors of the season, the fresh air and other tastes of nature will rejuvenate your spirit, as well as your body. It is a perfect time for walks in the neighborhood, hikes along park trails and venturing out on your bicycle. You could also jog, play golf or get in a round of tennis.

Make it social – One thing that makes “being active” less of a chore is when you take someone along for the ride…or jog… or walk. Having a friend or family member accompany you will increase your enjoyment, as well as your commitment. You’re less likely to say, “maybe I won’t go today,” if you’ve got a friend already set to join you.

Get back to the gym – If you have a lapsed membership at a health club or gym, reactivate it and get back at it. Regular, well-rounded workouts that include a mix of aerobic and strength training exercises are great gifts for yourself.

Try something new – The kids are learning lots in school. How about you? If there’s something you’ve been wanting to try, go ahead. A ballroom dancing class, perhaps? Tai Chi? Yoga?

Try something old – Is there something you haven’t done in a while, like roller blading, tossing a frisbee in the park or joining a touch football game? This might be just the time to enjoy those things again, and add them to your fall activities list.

Eat healthy – Stay properly fueled by following a healthy diet. Fall has good choices in seasonal foods like pumpkin, apples and pecans, so there’s plenty to enjoy.

Get more sleep – Don’t forget one of the most essential elements of your health and well being: getting a good night’s sleep. Staying well rested can help you reduce the effects of stress. And you’ll be fresh for tomorrow’s activities.

So get out, get social and enjoy the sites, sounds and smells of autumn. And fill your lists of “things to do” with fun fall activities for the entire family.