When you’re doing spring cleaning and home maintenance this season, keep energy efficiency in mind. With warmer weather on the way, spring and summer energy bills are usually higher overall due to air conditioning. Use the following tips to help you make your home more energy-efficient this spring.
Top 7 Spring Home Maintenance Tips for Energy Efficiency
Replace Lightbulbs
If you’ve been using traditional incandescent lightbulbs in lamps and light fixtures, replacing them with more energy-efficient bulbs can save considerable energy usage and money. LED, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), and halogen incandescent bulbs use between 25 and 80 percent less energy compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. That can lead to significant energy savings, especially if you’re home more often. Energy-efficient lightbulbs also last longer than traditional bulbs, so you won’t need to replace them as often. These bulbs can last up to 25 times longer.
Check and Change Bathroom Fans
Bathroom fans provide much-needed ventilation, which helps reduce the risk of moisture damage and mold. However, your bathroom fans could be using more energy than needed. While doing spring home maintenance, remove the cover and vacuum the inside of the fan as well as the cover to ensure the fan is running at peak performance. If your fan is not operating or very loud, you can usually get a replacement kit at the hardware store that may help. But also consider replacing them with more energy-efficient models. These fans can use up to 70 percent less energy than standard bathroom fans. Keep in mind that you can find energy-efficient models that include lighting as well, which can help you use even less energy in your bathroom.
Perform HVAC Maintenance
One of the major sources of energy usage in warmer weather is your HVAC system. HVAC maintenance is important since it can reduce the amount of energy you use while running your air conditioning. Maintaining your HVAC system involves making sure all parts of it are working properly, including your thermostat. HVAC maintenance tasks also include dusting or wiping down vents and replacing your air filter with a new one. Air filters become dirty, which causes your HVAC system to run with reduced efficiency. You should also clean up the area around your outdoor unit, such as removing weeds and trimming bushes. Your outdoor unit will run more efficiently when it does not have vegetation or other debris blocking airflow.
Check Windows and Screens
While doing home maintenance this spring, check all of your windows and screens. Replace torn screens and cracked windows with new ones to help your home become more energy-efficient. Cooler air from inside can leak outside through cracks and tears, causing you to run your air conditioning more often. Replacing windows and screens helps prevent this air leakage while also preventing hot outdoor air from getting into your home. This can help you use less energy while also keeping your home more comfortable all spring and summer long.
Seal Gaps
Look for any gaps or openings in your home, such as around windows and doors. You might also find gaps around light switches, outlets, vent openings, and similar areas on exterior walls. These gaps are also sources of air leaks that can cause you to use more energy when you cool your home. Seal up any gaps you find to help keep cool air inside your home.
Switch Ceiling Fan Direction
Ceiling fans can help your home feel cooler when it’s warm out so that you use your air conditioning less. Make sure your ceiling fans are running in a counter-clockwise direction, which means they’ll push cooler air down into rooms.
Get a Home Energy Audit
A home energy audit offers a great way for you to find out how you can reduce energy usage even more. These audits can help you understand how much energy your home uses and where most of it is coming from, such as your air conditioning. Home energy audit professionals can also provide you with advice on how to save energy. These audits should be part of your home maintenance routine this spring.
If you’re ready to schedule a home energy audit this spring, please contact us.