Northwest winters aren’t easy. If they were, bears wouldn’t spend months fattening up to sleep the whole way through to spring. While you might not have the luxury to do the same, it would be wise to learn from their example: Fall is the best time to prepare for the cold months ahead.
In their own way, our homes, work and business spaces come out of their own hibernation during winter, and you’ll want them to be ready for whatever the season brings. No one wants to find themselves without heat on a weekend night in January — or at the very least, using way more energy than their property should.
“Fall is a great season for everything from routine furnace maintenance to energy-saving projects like adding a smart thermostat or adding insulation where it’s lacking,” said Mike Wood, a Clark Public Utilities energy counselor. “The mild seasonal temperatures will keep your home pretty comfortable if you need to take your heating system offline or have work done that may leave your interior space exposed to the outside elements.”
No matter your DIY capabilities, it’s wise to have your heating system inspected annually by professionals. They can test your heating system for leaks and fouled parts, among other issues, as well as offer guidance to balance personal comfort and heating efficiency.
If you’re handy and own a furnace, start by changing the filter for the season. Like your car, the system runs best with a clean filter. Plus, it’ll keep indoor air cleaner. Consult your manual and choose a filter with a high MERV rating. Also, check the furnace ductwork’s damper positioning to be sure it’s on the right setting.
Programming your thermostat can save energy. However, if you own a heat pump or a ductless heat pump, the best thing to do is treat it like a rotisserie cooker and set it and forget it. Heat pumps are the most efficient and cost effective to own when they maintain a consistent temperature over time. Avoid large setbacks that cause your auxiliary heat to kick on, if you have it. Lowering the temperature 2 to 3 degrees at night or when away can help save energy. Speaking of, check your rain gutters to be sure water isn’t getting onto your heat pump unit outside.
Residential zonal heaters —baseboard, wall heaters, etc. — occasionally need a good cleaning, because dust lowers their efficiency.
Check the weather-stripping around your doors and the thresholds at the bottom. Also, go outside and look at the caulk around the windows, lights, plumbing or other fixtures that go through the wall. If any of it is cracked or flattened, scrape it out and apply a fresh layer.
Re-caulking isn’t hard, but a weatherization specialist can do that and diagnose many other potential energy and comfort-sapping problems (like leaky ducts) that most people would miss.
Clark Public Utilities has many money-saving rebates and incentives to help people in all financial positions live more comfortably while using less energy in their electrically heated homes.
For more information, contact the Energy Counselor of the Day at ECOD@clarkpud.com or call 360-992-3355 during business hours. If you’d like to look at the options on your own time, visit the rebates and loans page on our website.
