Fall is coming to Maryland – which means it’s time for cooler weather and the heating bills that come with it.

To keep those bills a little lower without spending a dime, try these five tips:

1. Remove window air conditioners – If your window units must stay in place, seal them with caulking or tape and cover them with an airtight, insulated jacket. If you want to invest a little more money, add some of that same caulking around your other windows to block air leaks.
2. Lower the default temperature on your water heater – The thermostat on most manufacturers’ water heaters is set higher than it needs it to be (often 140 degrees Fahrenheit or more) to provide a comfortable shower or to clean your dishes and clothes. Keep it at the EPA’s recommended 120 degrees and you’ll save about 15 percent on your water heating bill with no loss of comfort.
3. Use a programmable thermostat – Keeping your house three to four degrees cooler for eight hours a day (while you’re at work, for example) could help you save 10 percent or more on your heating bills.
4. Take advantage of sunlight – Leave your curtains and blinds open during the day to absorb the sun’s radiant heat, then close them at night to keep that heat in.
5. Use a cold setting for clothes washing – Today’s detergents work equally well on cold and warm settings. Switching to a cold-water wash could cut your water-heating bill by 10 percent.

Of course, you can also take advantage of these five ways to save even more money on your fuel oil or propane.

Contact Q-Dog today and let’s find new ways to save money this fall and winter!