If there is any downside to the changing colors of the leaves it is the knowledge that they will eventually begin to plummet, along with the temperature. And though nighttime reading and snuggling by the fireplace can be enjoyable, the need to stay warm is sometimes more of a pain than pleasure. According to the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE) the average American home spent $2,100 on home energy in 2012, partially due to being unaware about what factors actually make a home cold.

There are plenty of articles and blogs about what the best ways to stay warm and save money are. However, not every bit of advice is reliable.

Nevertheless, here is a fact-based way you can preserve the warmth of your home while maintaining your energy costs:

Thermostat control: A popular school of thought says that turning off your thermostat during the day when nobody is home works as an effective way of reducing energy costs. 

In theory the practice is sound. The less time spent consuming oil to keep your house warm, when there's no one present to enjoy it, would lead to a lower energy bill. Conversely, it can also lead to greater expenses. This is especially true if you live in an area that is susceptible to freezing temperatures. One of the primary threats to be wary of is frozen water pipes due to low temperatures. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), completely turning off your thermostat may actually lead to greater expenses, especially if you have to replace pipes that have burst. 

Instead, invest in a programmable thermostat which can cost as little as $20 to $25. If you program the device to hold at 68 degrees while you're at home and to lower temperatures when you're sleeping or away, that alone can save you $110 annually according to the EPA. 

If you live in the Virginia or Washington, D.C., area and would like to learn more about how you can save money on energy at home, schedule an energy audit with industry-leader Alban Inspections!