Once again, I’m preparing to turn my clocks back an hour, when Daylight Savings Time ends on November 6. And once again, I’m really wishing I didn’t have to; I don’t like these dark months. The time change does, however, make me remember some important fall chores.
Now is the time of year when I change the batteries in my smoke detectors. If your carbon monoxide detector isn’t hardwired, you should change those batteries, too.
When nights are longer (sometimes it’s dark at 4 p.m.) we use more energy to light the house, so I remind everyone in the house to turn off the lights when we aren’t in the room. My house came with helpful stickers on my switches to help all of us remember to turn them off.
LED lights use about 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and are generally cool to the touch. They can last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs and if rated for outdoor use in an appropriate fixture, they are weatherproof, working just as well outside as they do inside. Plus, now that more and more people are using them, you can find them at a reasonable price—I just found a sale online and bought 16 new bulbs for less than $10. Avista’s website has tons of information about lighting.
If you have a furnace, you should change the filter now. Avista’s Furnace Filter Replacement Program can provide you with reminders for when it’s time to change your filter. It can even send new filters directly to your doorstep, if you choose. You can sign up on Avista’s website.
What chores do you usually do when the clocks change back an hour?
Lisa, an Avista customer, bought her 1910 house because she loved the old-world character, some of which doesn’t make her house very energy efficient. Lisa is sharing her experience on taking some simple do-it-yourself improvements to inspire others to do the same. You’ll find her stories right here every Tuesday morning.