Heating, reduced daylight hours, and seasonal festivities can contribute to increased energy use in the fall. Fear not, with a few strategic changes, you can keep your electric bills in check while staying cozy and enjoying seasonal festivities. Here are our five favorite ways to save energy this season:

1. Unplug electronic devices while not in use. «Vampire appliances” drain energy even when they’re not being used, and can make up almost 10% of your energy consumption! Unplug idle computers, televisions, microwaves, and space heaters or use a power strip with an on/off switch.
2. Replace your holiday lighting displays with LED-powered alternatives. Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology vastly outperforms any other type of light generation. By replacing your holiday lights with LEDs, you can save about 87% on holiday lighting costs without compromising brightness or color.
3. Take advantage of heat and light from the Sun! The sun is more powerful than you may think, having over 1,000 watts of heating power for every square meter. Open the curtains of your southward facing windows during the day and close them at night. This alone can halve the energy required to heat your home.
4. Seal the gaps: Drafts in doors, windows, and walls cause heat to escape, making your heater work overtime. Find air leaks in your home and reseal gaps with weather stripping, caulk, glaze, or door and window snakes and save on energy costs.
5. Don’t abuse your thermostat! In the U.S. over 35% of energy on average is dedicated to temperature control.  Lower your thermostat while you’re away or sleeping. Consider investing in a programmable thermostat that will automatically adjust for you!

Small changes can make a big difference in lowering your electricity bills! Embrace these tips so as the temperature falls this season, your bill can too.