Money-Saving Tips for Autumn
Monday, August 15, 2011 at 11:55AM by Catherine Hart
With students in many parts of the country returning to school this week, our thoughts turn to autumn chores. In this article, we turn our attention to bringing you tips for how to save money and energy as you attend to what needs to get done before it gets cold outside.
Inside the home:
It’s recommended that you check weather stripping around doors and windows annually. It’s easier to do this while the weather is still nice, in case you have to replace any seals. Look for cracks and deterioration and test for air seepage. There is a great detailed article about how to do this on the Home Repair Geek website.
Readers who live in older homes (over 20 years) are advised to check the attic insulation. You can realize dramatic savings in your annual heating bills by adding insulation. Air leakage through cracks, voids and gaps is important to attend to, as this is where much of your heating (and money) goes out the window. Cellulose insulation is one great option. Made from 80% post-consumer recycled newspapers, it is affordable, non-toxic, and offers a great R-value to your home. Click here to read an informative article from the Building and Construction Technology department at the University of Massachusetts.
Once the warm weather has passed, it’s a good idea to unplug and seal any window air conditioners. If it’s practical, remove them and store them until next season. This way you can seal your windows for winter as well.
A programmable thermostat can save you up to $180 on your heating and cooling bills annually, according to the Energy Star website. Basic models can be purchased for less than $30, so this is a great investment which will be recouped quickly.
If you want to further research any of these areas, we invite you to visit the Resources section of this website. Scroll down to the Energy Efficient Homes section for mor information.
Outdoors:
Starting a compost pile can provide you with rich amendment to your soil. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, either. You can put in kitchen scraps, leaves, and grass clippings to make your own compost rather than spending money at the garden shop.
As the weather starts to cool, it is a good time to plant trees and grasses. Choose native varieties that need less water and attention. Local Extension offices (typically affiliated with area universities) offer informative flyers and have knowledgeable staff to help in this area.
“Greener” Driving:
If you’ll be getting your car’s radiator flushed before winter, check into using a propylene glycol (PG) formula (e.g., Sierra brand), rather than the traditional ethylene glycol type of antifreeze. While you wouldn’t want to ingest either kind, the PG antifreeze is less toxic to children, family pets, and wildlife.
Check the condition of your car’s tires and the air pressure. In addition to being less safe, underinflated tires on your car or truck cost you money. The EPA estimates that there is a 1% loss of fuel efficiency for every 2 PSI (pounds per square inch) of air below the maximum recommended level. One university study conducted by Carnegie Mellon found that the average person who drives 12,000 miles yearly on under-inflated tires uses about 144 extra gallons of gas - at a cost of $300-$500 a year.
This is probably enough to get you started with your money-saving autumn chores. We'll periodically post more tips to help you make your home and life more comfortable and healthy.