The arrival of spring can mean a spike in electricity use as you turn on fans, spend weekends doing spring-cleaning and dust off outdoor power tools to get your home and yard ready for warmer weather. As temperatures start to rise, take some small steps to prep your home and appliances for spring and summer.
Schedule a home energy audit. Audits can identify air leaks, insulation gaps and inefficient appliances that quietly drive up costs. Look for government programs that might reimburse you for energy efficiency upgrades like smart thermostats, heat pumps, water heaters and Energy Star-certified appliances.
Review your family’s thermostat habits. As outdoor temperatures rise, resist the temptation to turn on the air conditioning sooner than it’s needed. Instead, use ceiling fans to avoid high cooling costs without sacrificing comfort. Fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave a room to save energy.
Replace dirty AC filters. Clear debris from outdoor units. And schedule professional maintenance to improve efficiency and extend the life of the system.
Read your energy bills carefully. Understanding how rates work, including time-of-use or seasonal pricing, can help households adjust use to avoid peak charges.
Save heat-generating chores like running the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer for after dark when temperatures naturally cool down. Then you won’t be tempted to offset the added heat with the air conditioner.
Forming smart habits now can make a noticeable difference when summer temperatures arrive.
