Cold weather is here, and with the inflation we've seen recently, homeowners are worried about energy costs this winter. Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce your home's energy consumption. Here are a few suggestions from our real estate agents.

• Only use the heat you need.
  This may sound like a given, but many people don't think to adjust the thermostat when they're asleep or won't be home. It's a lost opportunity to save: The Department of Energy reports that you can save as much as 10 percent on your heating and cooling bills by adjusting the thermostat cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer for just eight hours a day. For instance, you could set your thermostat to65 degrees overnight in the winter and during the day when no one is there. If you have a smart thermostat, you can set it to warm the house up to more standard temperatures before you get home.
  
  
• Keep your furnace in top condition.
  Have your furnace serviced this fall before winter temperatures hit their coldest, and be sure to change your air filter regularly. Dirty or failing furnaces must work harder and use more energy to do their job. When looking at Klamath Falls homes for sale, be sure to check the age of the furnace, as newer furnaces are likely to be more energy efficient.
  
  
• Eliminate drafts.
  When you feel a draft from a leak in your home, the warm air inside your home is replaced with colder air. To keep that heat you're paying for inside your own home, check around all your windows and doors for gaps. Weatherstripping can seal gaps between the window or door and the frame, and cracks between the frame and the wall should be sealed with caulking.
  
  
• Use time of day to your advantage.
  Timing your activities throughout the day can help you cut costs and make the most of the energy you use. For instance, during the day in the winter, you can open the curtains and allow the sun to heat your home so the furnace doesn't have to. In the summer, opening the windows at night may help to cool the house more affordably than running the air conditioner. Remember that energy can cost more during the day when it's in more demand. Therefore you can save money by running laundry and the dishwasher in the evening instead.
  
  
• Turn down your water heater.
  After the cost of heating the home, heating water is typically the next biggest expense on the average family's energy bill. Turning the temperature on your water heater down from the standard 140 degrees to a slightly lower, but still usable, 120 degrees can save you hundreds of dollars per year, according to the Department of Energy.
  
  
• Minimize wasted electricity.
  You can save a lot of money by remembering to turn lights off when you're not using them. Better yet, upgrade your entire house to LED bulbs, which use a fraction of the energy and last for years, if not decades, longer. Another tip is to unplug appliances and devices when not in use, as many use power while in standby mode.

When you minimize your energy consumption in as many areas as possible, the savings can add up, but sometimes older homes just aren't very energy efficient. Are you in the market for a newer, more efficient home? Contact us today to begin your search.