If you can’t recall the last time your home had a thorough spring cleaning, chances are you’re probably due. From improving the quality of the air you breathe to reducing your energy bills – the benefits of a deep clean are numerous.

To get you started, we’ve put together a list of tips to help you spring clean your way to increased energy efficiency and lower utility bills.

Clean and Check Your Windows

Wash the inside and outside of your windows, including the screens. Clean windows let in more natural light and reduce the need for extra interior lighting. When the weather is mild, open windows to save on energy costs by creating a cross breeze to help cool your home. Make sure windows close tightly and don’t allow air to leak in and out. Energy-efficient window treatments like curtains or shades can help keep the intense heat out during summer months and retain the heat inside your home cold weather.

Maintain Your HVAC System

Routine maintenance to your home’s furnace and air conditioner can significantly reduce your energy consumption. Furnace air filters should be replaced quarterly. When filters get dirty, air flow is reduced, and your furnace will run longer to move air through its blower. The same can be said for air ducts and vents. It’s recommended to have them professionally cleaned every three years to help improve the air quality in your home and the airflow of your HVAC system. Spring is an ideal time to have your air conditioner cleaned and checked before you fire it up for summer!

Clean or Replace Appliance Filters

In addition to your furnace, it’s important to clean and/or change the filters on other appliances throughout your home. These include refrigerators, dishwashers, air purifiers, microwaves, clothes dryers, dehumidifiers, whole-house water and air filtration systems, in-sink water dispensers, vacuum cleaners and window A/C units.

Reverse the Rotation of Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans do more than just circulate air during summer months. During the winter, they help push warm air down. The trick is to make sure the fan blades rotate clockwise during cold weather and counterclockwise in the spring and summer when you want it to draw the warm air up. Look for a switch on your ceiling fan to easily change this setting. Doing this will not only make you more comfortable, it also allows you to adjust the thermostat so your furnace and AC don’t need to run as much.

Professionally Clean Carpets

This is especially important if you have pets or live with someone with asthma or severe allergies. Dust and animal hair aren’t just unsightly; they clog up air filters and cause electronics to run less efficiently or overheat by disrupting the current in electrical contacts. Regular dusting and vacuuming helps keep dust bunnies under control and your appliances running more efficiently.

Install Low-Flow Toilets, Faucets and Shower Heads

When you use water efficiently, you also save on the amount of energy you need to heat that water for showering and washing dishes and clothes. Low-flow showerheads and faucets are inexpensive and can cut your water use in half. Look for products with the WaterSense label that meet EPA specifications for water efficiency and performance.

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Tags: Energy Tips, Energy Efficiency, Spring
Categories: Energy Efficiency