COLUMBUS, Ohio — With fall officially here and cooler weather approaching, people may soon see changes in their energy bills as heating systems kick into gear.

While heating and cooling systems are widely known as the biggest energy consumers in residences, several other factors may be quietly inflating utility bills without homeowners and renters realizing it.

"The more you can reduce the energy consumption in your unit, the better you're going to have from an efficiency and cost standpoint," said Kit Hagen, senior vice president of growth and business development at Nationwide Energy Partners.

Hagen said even making a few degree adjustments to thermostats can make a big difference in energy costs. Finding ways to use less hot water can also be incredibly effective.

"If you're hand-wa

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