With the summer days growing cooler and fall approaching quickly, reacquainting ourselves with weatherproofing techniques seems like a good idea. Not only will these tips help you stay warm, but they'll keep the energy you use to stay warm, and the bills your pay for that usage, as low as possible.

Here are three ways you can limit your energy costs this fall: 

Attic insulation: If your attic lacks the requisite amount of insulation, you're missing out on an easy opportunity to cut heating costs. Typically, homes should have insulation that falls between six to 13 inches of loose fill or seven to 19 inches of fiberglass. However, you can also contact your local building department and find the most appropriate standards with regard to your area's climate.

Cold spots: Knowing where your house is leaking air is vital to planning out your approach to weatherproofing your home. If your home usually has air drafts, a thermal leak detector or an infrared thermometer can identify where your house is releasing energy. These devices are hand-held and battery-operated, simple enough for anyone to use and effective in locating areas of your house that may need caulking or additional insulation.

Fireplace maintenance: The catch-22 about fireplaces is that they can temporarily warm a room but they also release a lot of energy though its chimneys. Equipping a modern fireplace with an airtight door will keep the heat in the home. However, if you have an older fireplace that uses the room's air to feed the flames, install a door that comes with operable vents. Keep the vents closed after the fire has been smothered and you'll keep the heat in as well. 

If you live in the Virginia or Washington, D.C., area and are also looking to adjust your approach to energy consumption, an energy audit from leading home inspection company Alban Inspections is just what you need!