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As winter approaches, homeowners often overlook the impact of fall yard maintenance on their heating bills.
Corey Gilgan, owner of Oregon Generators, highlights the connection between outdoor spaces and energy efficiency. Neglecting fall gardening tasks can lead to increased heating costs due to blocked vents, reduced sunlight, irrigation leaks, and drafts from vegetation buildup.
To prevent energy waste this winter, proactive measures include cleaning HVAC units and vents, trimming vegetation near windows, winterizing irrigation systems, checking exterior insulation, and maintaining clear zones around energy equipment.
FULL STORY: These Fall Gardening Mistakes Can Add Hundreds to Your Winter Heating Bills
Key takeaways
- Outdoor maintenance in the fall affects home energy efficiency and heating bills significantly.
- Blocked vents and outdoor units reduce HVAC efficiency by 10% to 25%, leading to higher energy costs.
- Overgrown plants blocking natural light can increase heating expenses by forcing the system to work harder.
- Neglecting to winterize irrigation systems can result in substantial water waste and potential leaks.
- Accumulated leaves and debris against the home exterior can compromise insulation, leading to air infiltration and moisture issues.
By addressing these common fall gardening oversights and implementing proactive steps like cleaning HVAC units, trimming vegetation, winterizing irrigation systems, checking insulation, and maintaining clear zones around energy equipment, homeowners can save hundreds of dollars on winter heating bills and improve their home’s energy efficiency.
This summary has been generated with AI tools and edited by Realtor.com® News & Insights editors. The full story, written and edited by Realtor.com News & Insights newsroom journalists, is linked at the top of the summary.