Do 6 Things This Spring for an Energy-Efficient Home

Spring is in the air, though it may be coming in fits and starts. After a long, dark, and cold winter, you’re probably enjoying the burst of energy that people often get with the warmer weather.

If you have the sudden urge to clean out all of your closets and deep-clean your carpet, you should definitely do those things — but don’t neglect your HVAC system. Use your spring fever to take care of the following, and you’ll be able to save money on your energy bills now and in the coming summer heat.

1. Schedule a Service for Your Air Conditioning System

The best thing you can do in the spring is to prepare your air conditioner for summer. By taking care of your system now, you’ll set yourself up for success later when you really need your AC to work.

Contact a professional to clean and inspect your system. They can make sure that your unit is in good shape after being inactive for several months, clean off any grime that has accumulated that would slow your unit down, and check your thermostat and system control settings to make sure you can use your AC as efficiently as possible.

The HVAC technician will also give your AC a quick test run to make sure it works perfectly. This way, when the weather heats up in a few months, you won’t have any nasty surprises that leave your home hot and miserable.

2. Change Your Air Filter

Spring flowers bring all sorts of pollen, and spring breezes bring dust. Your HVAC system’s filter is what stops the debris from getting into your home’s air, but if your filter is already clogged, it can’t do its job well.

Change the filter now to prevent debris from getting into your air, and you’ll also improve your home’s energy efficiency. Your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to push air through the filer if the filter is clean.

3. Take Advantage of Warmer Days

During the early spring, you may still have to have your furnace on at least some of the time. However, you can minimize how much energy you spend heating your house by taking advantage of the warmer weather outside.

Enjoy the longer, sunnier days by opening your blinds and curtains during the day. Not only will you save on lighting costs from all the natural light, but the sunshine will help you warm your home for free.

4. Check on Your Insulation

Spring is a great time of the year for home improvement projects. One of the best things you can do for your home’s energy efficiency is to improve your home’s insulation. After all, even the best AC system won’t stop summer heat getting into a poorly insulated house.

The insulation in your attic should be about 10 inches thick, and it should cover the attic roof without gaps. If you need more insulation, take care of the problem now before the summer heat makes your home lose valuable cool air.

5. Seal Up Gaps

Not only will improving your home’s insulation save you energy this summer, but you can prepare for summer by getting rid of tiny openings or cracks around your home.

Use your spring-fever energy to inspect your home’s windows and doors. Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal off any small openings that could let hot air in during the summer. As a bonus, adding insulation and sealing off gaps will also help your home be more energy-efficient next winter — you’ll be doing your home a favor for years to come by taking care of these problems now.

6. Clean Your Vents and Fans

During your interior spring cleaning, remember to check on important parts of your HVAC system: your home’s fans and vents. Ceiling fans play a crucial role during the warm months in keeping you cool without overworking your AC, but they tend to collect a lot of dust.

Similarly, the fans in your kitchen and your bathroom help your home stay cool and dry when you take a hot shower or use your stove. Make sure to clean these fans off so they can work at their best this summer when you really need them.

Lastly, your home’s vents can get clogged with all the dust and debris that your filter doesn’t catch. Make sure to clean them out so your HVAC system runs as well as possible.

Spring fever often strikes suddenly and leaves just as quickly. When you get that burst of energy, use some of it on your home’s HVAC system. Your efforts will pay off now and this summer in lower utility bills and a more comfortable house, no matter the temperature outside.

For a spring AC service , reach out to Comfort Solutions. We’re ready to help.