Proper Green: Saving Energy in the Finicky Fall Weather

Dear Mary,

It’s annoying, that’s for sure, but it’s not bad to adjust your thermostat to your preferences as they change throughout the day. Turning the system on and off, or adjusting it frequently, takes less energy than running it at a constant temperature 24/7 — unless each time you turn it on or off, you’re running it at very high or very low temperatures.

It’s easy to suggest a programmable thermostat to save the most money, energy, and time, but the way Fall weather changes unexpectedly might mean programming isn’t the best answer this time of year. Instead, it might help to focus on ways to regulate how the weather can affect your home’s temperature. Here are a few ideas to leave the thermostat untouched, saving energy and staying comfortable as much as possible:

• Keep blinds open during the day, especially on south-facing windows; the sun will warm rooms. Close blinds and shades at night to keep the cold out.
• Use a fan — when a Fall day is at its warmest, a fan still might be enough to cool you down.
• Drink smart. A warm drink when it’s cooler and a cool drink when it’s hotter will help you feel more comfortable.
• Invest in a humidifier or dehumidifier. Moister air tends to feel warmer, so adjusting to your preference can reduce the need to use AC (or heat).
• Dress in layers. This advice isn’t just good for travel! The more you can keep warm or cool by clothing alone, the less you’ll have to rely on the thermostat to keep up with the small changes in temperature.