As temperatures start to drop and you switch from running the air conditioner to firing up the heat, fall is the perfect time to give your home an energy-efficiency tune-up. A few simple changes now can mean lower heating bills all season long — and a more comfortable home once winter arrives. Here are practical tips to help you save energy this fall, plus how Bryant® can help you get the most out of your heating system.
1. Schedule a Furnace Tune-Up
Before you rely on your furnace for the first cold night, have it professionally inspected and serviced. A technician will check your heat exchanger, burners, electrical connections, and airflow, catching small issues before they turn into costly repairs or an unexpected breakdown. A well-maintained furnace also runs more efficiently, which means lower energy bills all winter. Bryant® Factory Authorized Dealers are trained specifically on Bryant equipment, so they know exactly what to check to keep your system running at its best.
2. Replace Your Air Filter
A dirty air filter forces your furnace to work harder to push air through your home, wasting energy and shortening the life of your equipment. Check your filter monthly during the heating season and replace it as needed — typically every one to three months, depending on the type of filter and whether you have pets or allergies in the home.
3. Seal Air Leaks
Drafts around windows, doors, and other openings let warm air escape and cold air in, making your heating system work overtime. Walk around your home and check for gaps around window frames, door thresholds, and areas where pipes or wiring enter the house. Weatherstripping and caulk are inexpensive fixes that can make a noticeable difference in comfort and energy use.
4. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
Most ceiling fans have a switch that reverses the blade direction. Running your fans clockwise at a low speed in the fall and winter pushes warm air that naturally rises back down into the room, helping your space feel warmer without turning up the thermostat.
5. Let the Sun Do Some of the Work
Open curtains and blinds on south-facing windows during the day to let natural sunlight warm your home, then close them at night to help trap that heat in. It's a free, simple way to reduce how hard your heating system has to work.
6. Program Your Thermostat
Adjusting your thermostat while you're asleep or away from home can lead to real savings over the course of a season. A smart thermostat, like the Bryant® Smart Thermostat or an ecobee model available through Bryant, can learn your schedule and automatically adjust temperatures for you, so you get the savings without having to think about it.
7. Check Your Insulation
Attics and crawl spaces are common places for heat to escape. If your home feels drafty or certain rooms are harder to heat than others, it may be worth having your insulation levels checked. Proper insulation keeps the heat your system generates from escaping before it's had a chance to warm your home.
8. Lower Your Water Heater Temperature
Many water heaters are set higher than necessary. Lowering the temperature to around 120°F is typically still plenty warm for household use and can reduce standby energy loss, especially as your water heater works alongside your heating system through the colder months.
9. Consider an Upgrade If Your System Is Aging
If your furnace or heat pump is more than 10-15 years old, it's likely operating well below the efficiency of today's equipment. Bryant® offers a range of high-efficiency furnaces and heat pumps, including systems with variable-speed technology designed to maintain comfort while using less energy. Upgrading before winter hits can mean noticeably lower bills for the entire season ahead.
Why Bryant® Makes Fall Efficiency Easier
Since 1904, Bryant has built a reputation for dependable, efficient home comfort systems, and that focus on efficiency carries through the entire product line — from high-efficiency furnaces to smart thermostats that help you manage energy use with less effort. Combined with a network of Factory Authorized Dealers trained specifically on Bryant equipment, it's easier to make sure your system is set up to perform its best all season long.
Get Ready for a More Efficient Winter
Whether you need a simple furnace tune-up or you're ready to upgrade to a more efficient system, NoPay Bryant® connects you with trusted, local Bryant® Factory Authorized Dealers and flexible financing options, so staying warm this winter doesn't have to strain your budget.
Ready to prep your home for fall? Find a local Bryant® dealer near you, or explore financing options to make your next upgrade more affordable.