On Nov. 3, people may sigh as they turn their clocks back an hour to transition out of daylight saving time. As the sun sets earlier in the day, some people will use more energy to light their homes and businesses. 

As you fall back, you can also fall into energy savings by taking these steps this winter:

Adjust the temperature.

• Lower your thermostat 10 degrees when you leave your home for more than eight hours. You could save up to 10 percent on heating costs.
• For more control over the temperature in your home, purchase a smart thermostat. Customers get an instant $75 rebate when they purchase a qualifying smart thermostat at ComEd’s Marketplace.

Check your HVAC filter.

• If the filter looks dirty, change it.  A dirty filter will slow down airflow, making the system work harder.

Lower your holiday lighting costs.

• Replace conventional incandescent holiday lights with LEDs. LED holiday lights consume at least 75 percent less energy and can last up to 25 times longer.  They’re also more durable and generate less heat compared to traditional incandescent light strands.

Find and seal leaks.

• Inspect and replace the caulking and weather-stripping around all windows and doors.
• Check ducts that move air to and from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner or heat pump to make sure there are no leaks.

Take advantage of the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program.

• Get a free home energy assessment, receive rebates on qualifying ENERGY STAR® appliances and smart thermostats, and save instantly with in-store discounts on LED bulbs.