Sustainable Living 101

Green Tips for Fall

Even though the sun seems to be lasting into October this year, the cold weather is coming--we can see it in the light frost on the grass in the mornings and the shorter days. Gather those last tomatoes; winter is near!

To make the darker days seem brighter, there are lots of things you can do to prepare your house and home for winter, keep things cozy and save money and resources. Try these tips and be good to both your wallet and the environment!

1. The "Summer's Over" Shuffle

Bring in the cushions from those summertime movie fests on the back porch. Move indoor furniture off any heat registers and away from radiators. Close and lock your windows to provide a better seal against drafts. Keep south facing blinds and drapes open during the day to warm your house using heat from the sun, then closed at night to keep the heat in.

2. Fall Cleaning

Check and replace the furnace filter before turning it on for the season. Vacuum all heat register vents, dryer ducts and the heat coil behind the fridge, for increased efficiency. Clean the roof gutters so they'll flow well with all that rain; point downspouts into a rain barrel or away from the house. Fall's a great time to get your chimney cleaned and inspected before setting that first cozy fire. Check all of your weather stripping and add more as necessary in order to prevent drafts.

3. Leaf it Up

Move indoor houseplants back inside, if they've been soaking up sun for the summer. They'll help clean the air. When your leaves fall, consider leaving them on the lawn for mulch (especially if you have Garry Oak trees!) or rake them onto garden beds to protect plants. Plant native bulbs, bushes and trees and let them soak up the fall rains.

4. Sort, Swaddle and Swap

Putting away the summer attire? Sort what you don't need or want, then give it away to a charity or have a clothing swap with your friends. Swaddle your hot water heater in insulation or a insulating blanket and make sure it's set to no higher than 120 degrees F, or even lower, if you can.

Any of these tips will help, and if you do all of them, you'll guarantee yourself a cheaper winter energy bill and a cozier time indoors as the wind howls outside.

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