Spring is finally here! A new season brings a new opportunity to save energy and reduce energy bills.
While you can enjoy energy savings with solar power and take advantage of ways to save energy at home all year round, let’s focus on spring tips to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills in budget.
There are multiple ways you can reduce your energy consumption during the shifting temperatures of spring without sacrificing any comfort for you and your family. Check out our top 12 spring energy-saving tips that could help make your home more comfortable as warmer temperatures arrive.
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1. Service your air conditioner
Calling in a licensed HVAC professional for a checkup in the spring could help you avoid larger issues with your air conditioner in the warmer months of summer. They can check for any leaks that reduce the efficiency of your system, as well as offer any HVAC tips for spring that can ensure your system continues to function properly.
You can also perform some basic maintenance on your AC unit yourself, such as routinely replacing and cleaning air filters. These simple tasks could help lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15%, resulting in a more energy-efficient home.
2. Open windows
On warmer spring days, you can open windows to create a crosswise breeze, allowing you to naturally cool your home without adjusting the air conditioner settings. Plus, the fresh air from open windows can feel refreshing!
3. Use ceiling fans
The cost of running a ceiling fan to cool your home is significantly lower than turning on your AC unit. The U.S. Department of Energy says that cooling your home with ceiling fans will let you increase your thermostat four degrees, which could reduce your energy bill up to 30%. Using ceiling fans is a simple way to save money on your electricity bill without sacrificing your comfort.
4. Cook outside
When the spring temperature is a little higher, using an outdoor grill instead of an indoor oven can keep heat out of your house, which can quicky heat up the whole house. Grilling is a great excuse to enjoy the warm weather while conserving energy at the same time.
5. Update your windows
Direct sunlight in the spring can quickly warm up your home and make you want to turn on the air conditioning. Consider replacing your windowpanes with ENERGY STAR qualified windows that will prevent unwanted heat coming into your home.
You may also consider window treatments, such as curtains, blinds, and shades, to help reduce heat gain when temperatures rise. Bonus: These treatments also improve the look of your home while simultaneously reducing energy costs.
6. Caulk air leaks
If your home isn’t air-tight, you may be losing more energy than you think. Cracks around windows and doors can let hot air in and cold air out. Sealing these air leaks can save you anywhere from 10 to 20% each year in energy costs.
Fortunately, sealing these leaks is simple. You can purchase low-cost caulk to seal any cracks and openings in your home. Doing so will keep the cold air in, the warm air out, and more money in your wallet.
7. Let sunlight in
Switch off artificial lights during daylight hours and take advantage of the natural light from windows to brighten your home. Traditional incandescent lightbulbs only use 10% of the electricity they consume for light; the rest turns into heat, unnecessarily warming your home. Using natural light can lower your energy costs and keep your home comfortable.
8. Program the thermostat
With the fluctuating temperatures in spring, you may find yourself adjusting the thermostat constantly. Instead, set the temperature based on the time of day and whether anyone is at home.
If you set a higher temperature on your thermostat while you are away from home, you can lower energy expenses by as much as 10%. The best temperature for AC to save money while you’re at work or out of the house is 78°F. You may even want to invest in a smartphone-compatible thermostat, which allows you to adjust the temperature from anywhere and make sure your home has the right AC setting for spring.
9. Seal your ducts
Losing air through ducts can lead to increased electricity costs, accounting for nearly 30% of an HVAC system's energy consumption. Insulation and sealing can go a long way toward lowering your electricity bills.
10. Switch on exhaust fans
Did you know the exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms can actually help you save energy? An exhaust fan pulls warm air out of your home and sends it outside, which could help limit your use of air conditioning and keep your home at a more comfortable temperature.
11. Manage the airflow in your home
There are several easy ways to maximize air circulation in your home. You can rearrange your furniture to keep it away from heating and cooling registers and baseboards to allow air to circulate more throughout your house.
If the weather promises to be cool, you can also take advantage of the heat from your oven. When you finish baking, you can leave the oven door open to allow warm air to circulate and keep your home warm without using the HVAC system. Just make sure you keep any children or pets away from the hot oven while it is open.
12. Switch to solar
If you want the energy savings to last all year round, consider switching to solar energy. Installing solar panels on your home could significantly reduce your energy costs and provide you with energy savings not just in the spring, but throughout the year.
Learn more about Gexa Energy and their 100% renewable plans from environmentally friendly renewable sources.
