It’s time to get your home ready for warmer weather. Remember, energy efficiency is just as important during hot weather as it is in cold, so consider adding these home maintenance tasks to your spring cleaning checklist:
- Air conditioning maintenance. A properly maintained AC system can help you save hundreds a year. Clean or replace your air conditioning unit’s filter every one to two months to ensure proper and efficient performance. (This is true whether you have a window unit or a central AC system). Vacuum your air intake vents regularly to remove dust and clear registers of objects that might block the airflow. Also, have an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) specialist inspect your central air conditioner at least once a year–and the spring is a good time.
- Check your windows and doors. After the winter, there may be damage to your windows and doors that could cause cool air to escape, taking your hard-earned money with it. Check for any leaks or cracks and seal them with weatherstripping or caulk, which you can buy at your local hardware store.
- Take stock of your window and door screens. Look for any areas that need patching. Remove your storm windows and replace them with screens, and if you have a screen door dust it off and inspect it, and plan to install it. Screens allow natural breezes to circulate in your home on mild summer days.
- Consider investing in fans. By strategically using floor and ceiling fans, along with existing ventilation, you can get away with setting your thermostat one to two degrees higher and save money on your power bills. Giving your current fans a good cleaning once they’re out of storage can help them run more efficiently.
- Switch the direction of your ceiling fans. In colder months, run your ceiling fan clockwise (from your position, looking up at it). When the weather gets warm, it’s time to run your ceiling fans counterclockwise (CUB has instructions on how to do that) to push cool air down. Circulating cool air will reduce the need for your air conditioner to work as hard (you can set it a few degrees higher), saving energy and money. Don’t forget to turn off the fan when you leave the room–fans cool people, not rooms. (Bonus tip: If you haven’t used your ceiling fans since last summer, be sure to wipe down the blades to remove any dust that has accumulated.)
- Consider upgrading your thermostat. If you want more control of your energy bills this summer, consider replacing your old thermostat with a programmable one or a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats use sensors that continuously monitor temperature, humidity, and other variables throughout your house. According to Energystar.gov, on average, smart thermostats save customers 8% on heating and cooling bills yearly.
- Get a home energy assessment. Many utilities offer home energy assessments at no cost to the customer–and oftentimes you can get free products, such as LED bulbs, to help improve your home’s efficiency. Ask your gas/electric company about such services. Here’s info about ComEd’s program, which offers extra benefits for lower-income customers, and Ameren’s program, which is only for income-qualified customers.
- Prepare the grill: Your stove can heat up the kitchen on a hot summer day, making your air conditioner work harder. But your outdoor grill can help–and now is a good time to clean and prepare it for the summer. There are a lot of tips on healthy and environmentally sound ways to grill, here are some from The Washington Post. Another way to avoid heating up the kitchen is to use the microwave, air fryer or other electric cookers to prepare meals. With these items checked off your list, you can enjoy the warm weather knowing you’ve made your home more energy-efficient to hold down summer electric bills. For more tips, visit CUB’s Clean Energy page.
