As the weather cools down, your thermostat slowly begins to creep up. Your home may start to feel a bit drafty and your hot showers get a bit longer. There is hope — here are three ways to combat higher energy bills.

Time your heat.

It’s tempting to crank that heat every time you feel a chill. But what happens when you forget to un-crank it? You get stuck in an incredibly warm home and high heating bills. A programmable thermostat allows you to “set it and forget it” and plan ahead to reap the benefits in your wallet.

Find drafts.

You might be surprised how much warm air escapes your home. Luckily, you can save as much as 10 percent on your total energy bills each year by properly sealing and insulating your home.

Here’s where to look:

• Window seals
• Door seals
• Attic openings
• Furnace flues or ducts
• Plumbing vents
• Recessed lights
• Wiring holes (cable TV, electrical outlets, phone lines)

Typically a visual inspection will be enough to find an air leak. As an extra step, light a candle and hold it near the area. Does it flicker? This could be a sign of an energy-draining draft. Locating a few leaks can save you big this fall and winter.

If you’d like a more thorough review of your home, you can contact Washington Energy Services for a home energy audit — a complete inspection and report of where and how your home is losing energy and efficiency.

Think tankless.

Who doesn’t love a hot shower on a cold fall or winter morning? Unfortunately, if you’re not the first person to the bathroom, you could be in for a shower as cold as the weather outside. A tankless water heater solves this issue and can prevent costly energy bills. Tankless water heaters from Washington Energy Services are 82 – 94% energy efficient and EnergyStar qualified.

Just because the season is changing, doesn’t mean your bills need to increase. So remember to schedule your thermostat, repair drafts, and consider going tankless. But most importantly remember to savor the season with friends and family.