PREPARING FOR WINTER
Small energy-saving steps can add up to meaningful savings over time, which can be especially important to seniors who may be on fixed incomes. As Tucson’s temperatures cool, fall is the ideal time to tackle simple home tasks and refresh energy-saving habits that can help keep your home cozy, safe and affordable throughout the season and the holidays. Checking Home for Energy Efficiency Before winter settles in, give your home a quick energy checkup to help keep the warmth in and the cold out. Windows and doors: One of the easiest ways to improve comfort during cooler weather is to look for drafts around Prepare Your Home for Cooler Weather and Holidays Submitted by Sarah Tully Lev, Senior Corporate Communications Specialist, Tucson Electric Power
allowing warm air to escape and outdoor air to enter. Taking a few minutes to inspect and replace worn seals may help your heating and cooling system work more efficiently while keeping indoor temperatures more comfortable. Air filters: Another simple task is changing your HVAC filter. Dirty filters can restrict airflow and force your system to work harder than necessary. Replacing the filter regularly can help your equipment operate more efficiently and may improve indoor air quality. If you haven’t had your heating system inspected recently, fall is a great time to schedule a routine checkup before cooler temperatures arrive. Natural light: Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to warm your home naturally with sunlight. Close them at night to retain heat. Reverse your ceiling fans: Change the direction of your ceiling fans so that they rotate clockwise. This pushes warm air down, helping to distribute heat more evenly. Don’t forget to turn them off when no one is home. While
install a programmable or smart thermostat. Find deals on smart thermostats on the TEP Marketplace (tep.com/marketplace). Consider one for your holiday gift list. Get Ready for Thanksgiving and Holiday Cooking While cooking and meal get-togethers can increase energy use, a little planning can help keep things efficient. Timing Cooking: Before a holiday gathering, consider organizing your menu so multiple dishes can be cooked at the same time. Making full use of the oven allows you to prepare meals more efficiently than cooking items one at a time. Similarly, the microwave can be a great option for reheating or preparing smaller dishes because it often uses less energy than a conventional oven. Warming Food: When using the stovetop, keep lids on pots whenever possible. Lids help food heat faster and retain heat, reducing cooking time and energy use. Glass and ceramic bakeware can also retain heat well, allowing food to cook effectively while maximizing the warmth already being produced by the oven. Comfortable Rooms: During larger holiday gatherings, the extra warmth from guests and cooking appliances may make your home feel warmer than usual. You may be able to lower your thermostat slightly and still remain comfortable. It’s a simple adjustment that can help reduce energy use while your home is naturally being warmed by holiday activity. Use Appliances Wisely: After the meal, allow leftovers to cool before placing them in the refrigerator.
doors and windows. Over time, weather-stripping can wear out,
ceiling fans make you feel more comfortable, they don’t change a room’s temperature. Thermostat: Energy standards suggest setting your thermo- stat to 68 degrees for optimal efficiency. If you bundle up at night, you might reduce the temperature in the evening hours. To help keep track of the temperature,
Page 8 | November & December 2026, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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