Easy Spring Energy Saving Tips

If you’re like most homeowners, you’re probably always looking for ways to reduce your monthly expenses.  Especially when it feels like the cost of services is constantly on the rise.  The cable bill that was once $59 is now $159, same goes for your utilities and many other expenses.  Reducing your energy consumption in the spring is easier than you think.  The experts at Luxury Heating Co. have put together 10 easy spring energy saving tips to help you stop wasting and start saving!

  1. Open your windows – Why run the air conditioner when you can take advantage of natural ventilation?  Often times, opening windows can create a cross breeze effect that flows naturally throughout your home to keep you cool and comfortable.  During warmer temperatures you can open your windows in the evening taking advantage of cooler overnight temperatures, then close your windows in the morning to keep in the cool and keep out the warmth.
  2. Run your ceiling fans – In case you didn’t know, most ceiling fans have two modes, forward and reverse. In the spring / summer, you can set the fan’s circulation mode to forward (counter-clockwise motion) for a wind-chill cooling effect.  In the winter set your fan’s circulation mode to reverse (clockwise motion), at a low speed, producing an updraft that gently pushes warm air that naturally rises to the ceiling back down into occupied space.
  3. Caulk air leaks – Did you know you can cut your energy costs by up to 30% just by sealing cracks and openings in your home?  Air leakage causes cool air to escape and hot air to penetrate. If you uncover sources of air leakage, you can seal the openings with a clear or paintable caulk.
  4. Install or adjust your window treatments – On hot days, you can reduce your home’s solar heat gain, by closing your blinds. When the sunlight shines in,  it’s indirectly heating the interior of your home, causing your air conditioner to work harder and longer to cool your space.
  5. Choose energy-saving lighting – using ENERGY STAR certified products can save the average home nearly $750 over the lifetime of the product.
  6. Reduce energy for water heating – Some water heater manufacturers recommend keeping your water heater set at 140˚F, by lowering this temperature to 120˚F, you can save up to 10% on your annual water heating costs.
  7. Cook outside – Most people don’t need an excuse to be outside when the weather is nice.  But cooking outside can have more benefits than just great food.  It can also prevent your stovetop or oven from making your indoor space warmer than it should be.
  8. Install a programmable or smart wi-fi thermostat – Utilizing the scheduling and advanced programming features on your thermostat can help you save up to 15% per year on heating & cooling costs.
  9. Replace the air filter in your furnace – Dirty air filters can restrict an HVAC system’s air flow, making it work harder and less efficiently to distribute tempered air throughout your home. Replacing your filter once every few months will not only help your system operate more efficiently, but it will lower your HVAC’s energy consumption by up to 15%.
  10. HVAC maintenance – spring is the best time to have an HVAC professional perform a maintenance check on your air conditioner. Yearly cooling inspections help your air conditioning system to operate more efficiently and effectively as well as prevent against unexpected costly breakdowns.