Spring has officially sprung! We’ve got plenty of ways you can start saving energy this spring when it comes to your home power use.
Below are 8 easy things you can do to make your home more energy efficient as warmer temperatures arrive:
1. Get your AC serviced! Spring cleaning should always include having your air conditioner serviced. In addition to the monthly filter change, you should have the compressor checked every spring before turning it on for the first time. Just by making that change you could lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent! Also, have your technician check and clean the air conditioner’s evaporator coil to make sure your entire cooling system is performing optimally.
2. Get that air moving. If you find your heating system isn’t kicking on to heat your home anymore consider, cutting it off! Open a few windows and use those ceiling fans to move the air. This can cut energy bills without sacrificing comfort. Bathroom fans should be used as well to suck away humidity.
3. Move the party outside. Cooking outside on the grill should start as soon as it’s warm enough! After all, you’ll be generating heat through cheaper means, so fire up the grill.
4. Invest in window treatments! Longer days mean more sun so it’s a good idea to invest in some energy efficient window treatments or coverings such as blinds, shades, and films. They will not only reduce heat gain when temperatures rise, improving energy costs in lessened cooling bills, but it can also improve the overall look of your home.
5. Get out the caulk. By using low-cost caulk to seal cracks and openings in your home, you’ll be able to prevent warm air form heating up the house and keep the cold hard cash in your pocket.
6. Use natural lighting. When it’s bright enough, turn off the electric switches and use windows and skylights to light up your home. In addition to the energy cost reductions, this can even improve your mood as natural light is a well known mood lifter.
7. Go programmable. You can live with a little cooler temperature when the house heats up in the middle of the day from the warmer outside temperature. Consider setting your programmable thermostat to a lower setting when you are out during the day, and reduce your energy costs by approximately 10 percent.
8. Seal up those air ducts. A pressure check can let you know where you are losing air (leading to high electricity costs, up to almost 30 percent of a cooling system’s energy consumption). A few hundred dollars spent insulating and sealing old ductwork can save thousands over five years.
General tips are taken from the below sources and are not independently verified by North American Power. Dollar and usage savings are estimates and are based on, but not limited to the following: home profile information, performance assumptions, third-party resources, and the average regional cost for electricity. Savings are not guaranteed, are subject to change, and may vary.
Sources:
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/daylighting
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/converted-energy-efficient-window-treatments
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