Home Energy Efficiency Tips for Cooler Pennsylvania Nights (Lancaster, PA Real Estate)

As temps start dipping into the 40s–50s across Lancaster County, a few smart tweaks can make your home cozier and cut utility bills. Below is a locally-tuned checklist—with quick wins you can do tonight, weekend projects that pay back fast, and bigger upgrades that qualify for PPL/UGI rebates.

Quick wins you can do tonight (free or under $50)

• Use a smart/programmable setback. Set your heat 7–10°F lower for at least 8 hours while you sleep; DOE estimates this can save up to ~10% a year on heating. US EPA
  If you have a smart thermostat, ENERGY STAR pegs average HVAC savings around 8%. Ace Robbins

• Flip ceiling fans to winter mode (clockwise on low). This creates a gentle updraft that pushes warm air down to where you are. The Department of Energy's Energy.gov

• Close the fireplace damper when not in use. An open damper is like a window left open in winter. Close it (and the glass doors) once the fire is out to prevent warm air loss. The Department of Energy's Energy.gov

• Use thermal curtains and close them at dusk. Insulated cellular shades and lined drapes reduce heat loss through glass and feel noticeably warmer near windows. The Department of Energy's Energy.gov+1

• Set water heater to 120°F. It’s safer, reduces standby losses, and is the DOE’s recommended setting for most households. The Department of Energy's Energy.gov

  

Weekend projects with fast payback

• Air-seal the big leaks first. Caulk/foam gaps at attic penetrations (plumbing stacks, wire holes), around window/door trim, and weatherstrip doors. Air sealing + basic insulation can cut heating/cooling costs ~5–20% and usually pays back quickly. The Department of Energy's Energy.govUS EPA

• Insulate and weatherstrip the attic hatch. It’s a common “big leak” in Lancaster’s older housing stock. (DOE has clear DIY guides.) ugi.com

• Seal and insulate accessible ducts in basements, crawl spaces, and attics with mastic or UL-listed metal tape (never cloth duct tape). Leaky ducts can reduce system efficiency by up to ~20%. ENERGY STAR

• Swap or clean HVAC filters. Check monthly during heavy use and change at least every 3 months to maintain airflow and efficiency. ENERGY STAR

Bigger upgrades that qualify for local rebates

• Top off attic insulation. Lancaster typically falls into IECC climate zones 4A–5; ENERGY STAR’s retrofit target is R-49 to R-60 in the attic (and R-30 for floors over unheated spaces). ENERGY STAR

• Smart thermostat. PPL offers $50 (self/contractor install) or $100 (installed by a Trade Ally) for ENERGY STAR certified models—stack that with instant marketplace discounts. pplelectricsavings.compoweredbyefi.org

• Heat pump water heater. PPL pays $400 for ENERGY STAR models with UEF ≥ 3.3. pplelectricsavings.com

• Air-source heat pumps / mini-splits. PPL lists rebates for qualifying systems; cold-climate models are designed to maintain performance at low temps and carry the ENERGY STAR cold-climate spec. ppl.clearesult.comENERGY STAR

• Natural gas equipment (if you’re on UGI). UGI’s Save Smart program currently advertises $500 for ENERGY STAR gas furnaces, $1,200 for 94%+ AFUE boilers, $1,500 for combi boilers, and $400 for ENERGY STAR gas tankless water heaters. ugi.com

Where to start: PPL’s rebate hub and online applications are here. If you’re on UGI for gas, check their residential rebates page. pplelectricsavings.comppl.clearesult.comugi.com

Income-qualified help in Pennsylvania

If your household income is ≤200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, the PA Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) can fund air sealing, insulation, and heating system improvements through local agencies. Check your eligibility and find your Lancaster County provider here. dced.pa.gov+2dced.pa.gov+2

Fall checklist for Lancaster homes

• Before the first hard frost:

  • Replace/clean filters; schedule a heat-system tune-up.

  • Reverse ceiling fans to clockwise on low.

  • Test CO/smoke detectors; verify fireplace damper seals.

  • Walk the attic: look for bare spots in insulation and obvious daylight (air leaks). Target R-49–R-60.

  • Weatherstrip exterior doors and add door sweeps; seal sill-plate gaps in the basement.

  • Set water heater to 120°F.

• If you feel rooms are uneven: Have ducts tested/sealed; poorly sealed ductwork is a top cause of hot/cold rooms and higher bills. The Department of Energy's Energy.gov

Lancaster-specific notes

• Most of Lancaster County is served by PPL Electric Utilities; many gas-served neighborhoods are UGI. Start with your utility’s rebate pages to lower project costs and stack with federal tax credits where applicable. pplelectricsavings.comugi.com

• Upgrading older homes? If you suspect knob-and-tube wiring, consult a licensed electrician before adding insulation.

Keep learning (related guides on my site)

• First-Time Home Buyer Guide (Lancaster, PA) – financing & home maintenance basics: albertlinsdell.com/blog/first-time-home-buyer-guide-lancaster-pa. Albert Linsdell

• Home Inspection Checklist for PA Buyers – common energy issues to flag before winter: albertlinsdell.com/blog/home-inspection-checklist-pa-buyers. Albert Linsdell

• Homeowner’s August Maintenance Must-Dos – great fall carryovers: albertlinsdell.com/blog/homeowners-august-maintenance-checklist. Albert Linsdell

Call to action

Want a quick, no-pressure walkthrough of which upgrades make the most sense for your home (and how to use PPL/UGI rebates)?
Grab a spot on my calendar and we’ll build a simple, Lancaster-specific plan.