These Fall Gardening Mistakes Can Add Hundreds to Your Winter Heating Bills

Most homeowners don’t think about winter heating bills until winter actually hits.

But doing so can cost you, and there are things you could be doing now that could save you hundreds of dollars on utility costs come winter.

Like being mindful of the way you garden and care for your yard this fall.

“People spend time winterizing their cars and checking their furnaces, but they often forget how their outdoor spaces directly affect their home's energy efficiency. The connection between your fall yard work and your heating bill is stronger than you may realize,” says Corey Gilgan, owner of Oregon Generators in Clackamas, OR.

Fall gardening oversights that can cost you

To improve the energy efficiency in your home, you may focus most of your efforts on your furnace, filters, and insulation. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can cause you to ignore exterior issues, until you realize your winter heating bills have shot up.

Rest assured, you’re not alone. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to overlook these common gardening issues in the fall:

Allowing blocked vents and outdoor units 

If leaves, debris, and overgrown vegetation accumulate around your HVAC unit and exterior vents, you’ll likely pay for it. Your heating system will have to work much harder to maintain comfortable temperatures indoors.

“A blocked outdoor unit can reduce your system's efficiency by 10% to 25%, translating to higher energy bills,” explains Gilgan.

Letting overgrown plants block natural light

Overgrown plants can greatly reduce the amount of natural sunlight that enters your home, essentially taking away “free heating” during the colder months. 

“When trees and bushes block your windows, you're losing that passive solar gain and forcing your heating system to compensate. It's like turning down your thermostat and then wondering why your bills are higher,” says Gilgan.

Failing to winterize irrigation systems 

If you leave irrigation systems active or don’t winterize them as you should, you may face leaks. 

“A small leak in an irrigation line might not seem like a big deal, but it can waste hundreds of gallons of water over a winter,” explains Gilgan. 

Ignoring outdoor drafts from vegetation buildup

Leaves and debris piled up against your home's exterior may result in moisture and air infiltration issues.

“When organic matter decomposes against siding or near foundation vents, it can compromise your home's thermal envelope,” says Gilgan.

How to be proactive and avoid energy waste this winter

According to Gilgan, the average U.S. household is expected to spend about $1,100 on heating this winter. This figure may easily exceed $2,000 or more if you live in a colder state. 

If your vents or outdoor heat pump units get clogged with leaves and debris, your efficiency can drop by 10% to 25%, adding roughly $110 to $275 to your average bill. 

Fortunately, these simple fall maintenance tasks can help you avoid this issue and save hundreds of dollars this winter:

Check and clean HVAC units and exterior vents

Remove leaves, twigs, and any debris within a 3-foot radius of these components.

“I tell my clients to think of it like changing their car's air filter. A clean system is an efficient system, and efficiency means lower bills,” says Gilgan. 

Trim trees and bushes near windows 

Before winter appears, trim back any vegetation that blocks or shades windows, especially those facing south. The goal is to maximize natural light penetration during the shorter days ahead.

Check irrigation and exterior insulation

Properly winterize all irrigation systems, and inspect areas where outdoor elements meet your home's structure. Keep an eye out for gaps, cracks, or areas where vegetation buildup might compromise your home's insulation.

Maintain clear zones around energy equipment 

Create and maintain clear zones around any outdoor energy equipment like electrical panels, generator hookups, and utility connections. This strategy can help prevent efficiency loss and make emergency access easier when winter storms hit.