Oct 28, 2026 / Money Tips
It’s almost time to fall back! Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 1, which means one glorious bonus hour of sleep and a built-in excuse to check every household setting still stuck on summer time.
The kitchen clock and the car dash get all the attention, but they’re not the only things in your house running on an outdated schedule. Your thermostat, light timers, and sprinklers probably are too. A few quick updates now can cut wasted energy and water, keep your home comfy, and help hold utility costs in check as we settle into colder, darker days.
Here are 10 resets worth knocking out this weekend. (You’ve got an extra hour, after all.)
Mornings are getting colder, so check when your heat is scheduled to kick on. Set it to warm things up about 30 minutes before everyone wakes, then lower the temperature while you’re away at work or tucked in under the blankets. No need to heat an empty house. If your thermostat is programmable or smart, this is a five-minute job that pays you back all winter.
Here’s one most people forget: ceiling fans have a winter setting. Flip the little switch on the fan’s housing so the blades spin clockwise on low. That gently pushes the warm air hanging out near the ceiling back down into the room, so you feel cozier without touching the thermostat. It takes about 10 seconds per fan, and your heater will thank you.
Your furnace is about to clock its busiest months of the year, so give it a fresh start with a new air filter. A clogged filter makes your system strain to push air through, which can mean higher energy use, uneven heating, and extra wear on the equipment. Check the size printed on the old one, grab a few spares, and set a reminder to check it every month or two.
Your water heater might be set hotter than it needs to be. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 120°F for most households, which is plenty for showers and dishes and helps prevent scalding. Check the dial on your tank and turn it down if it’s higher. You’ll spend less heating water you never use, and that adds up fast once chilly mornings make long showers extra tempting.
Daylight is in short supply right now, so make the most of it. Open blinds and curtains on sunny, south-facing windows during the day to let free warmth in, then close them at dusk to help hold that heat inside. Have smart shades? Update their schedule to match the earlier sunsets. While you’re at it, check windows and doors for drafts and seal any gaps with weatherstripping.
Now that it gets dark sooner, move porch, indoor, and security lights to an earlier schedule so you’re not coming home to a pitch-black driveway at 5:30. Check their shutoff times too, so they aren’t burning electricity after everyone goes to bed. Bonus points if your smart lights can follow sunset automatically. Set it once and let the sun handle the scheduling from here on out.
Changing the clocks is the classic reminder to test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and it matters even more now that furnaces, fireplaces, and space heaters are back in action. Press the test button on each one and swap in fresh batteries if they aren’t sealed long-life units. Then check the date on the back. Smoke alarms generally need replacing every 10 years, and CO alarms often wear out sooner.
Turn off the watering schedule and winterize your sprinkler system before the first hard freeze. Water left sitting in the lines can freeze, expand, and crack pipes and valves, which turns into a not-so-fun repair bill come spring. Blow out the lines yourself or book a pro early, since appointments fill up fast once temps drop. Either way, you’ll cut unnecessary water use (and the cost that comes with it).
Sprinklers aren’t the only thing outside that hates a freeze. Disconnect your garden hoses, drain them, and store them somewhere dry. Then shut off the indoor valve to your outdoor spigots if you have one, and cover each faucet with an insulated cap. It’s a small job that helps prevent burst pipes, water damage, and a very expensive surprise in January.
Compare your recent gas, electric, and water payments in Digital Banking. Looking at the last few months side by side makes it easy to spot anything out of the ordinary. If something looks high, check for leaks, a running toilet, or a setting that could be quietly increasing your usage. If it’s just a normal seasonal change, use the new average to plan for next month. Knowing your winter number ahead of time means fewer surprises when the heating bills roll in.
Small settings, big difference. Knock out a few of these before the clocks change and your home, your comfort, and your budget will all be ready for winter. And when you want an easy way to keep an eye on those monthly bills, Digital Banking has your back all season long.
Bonus tip: While you’re in update mode, take a quick tour through of your Utah First Digital Banking app. Tap on “Insights” for a snapshot of your spending habits, track your trends, and set up an easy budget. It’s the perfect way to start the season with your finances as fresh as your fall playlist. 