Spring Home Maintenance that will Slash your Energy Bill

Adding just a few tasks to your ‘to do’ list this spring can help reduce your water and energy consumption and cut those bills! Save money and be kinder to Mother Nature this summer with these energy-saving tips and tricks.

• Check that your HVAC system is running properly. Clean your AC because when filters are dirty, your system wastes energy. Regular maintenance makes your AC run efficiently. Also check your ductwork for leaks.
• If you are using ceiling fans, give yourself a pat on the back! Ceiling fans only use 100 watts of energy. Cleaning those blades will help the fan run efficiently, because dust can cut airflow. During the summer, the blades should be moving in a counterclockwise direction.
• Place your fridge in an area that has less sun exposure.
• Switch out incandescent lights for LEDs. Changing the five lights you use most in your home will save you $75 a year.
• 10% of your power bill goes to appliances which are on standby. Use power strips with timers to turn off appliances when not in use. Turning off appliances can save you up to $75 a year.
• Lower your water heater’s temperature by a couple of degrees and install low-flow shower heads to reduce your water heating bill.
• Bring on the shade by adding blinds or curtains that will keep the sun out and cut the heat gain during the day. Plant deciduous vines or trees in front of windows so they shade the sun in the summer and let it in during the cold winter months.
• Caulking the cracks and opening in your home helps keep warm air out. Pay attention to openings around windows and doors as well as plumbing and electrical outlets. Caulking the gaps in your home can save $489.26 a year.
• Install a washing line or get a drying rack to save energy.
• Install solar lanterns in your garden rather than outdoor lights which draw power.
• You can save money by renting a boiler instead of purchasing a new one when you need to increase productivity.
• Only run your dishwasher when it’s full and skip the dry-heat setting to save up to $37 a year.
• Add a towel to each dryer load and save up to $27 a year. Clean the lint trap to improve efficiency.
• About 90% of the cost of running your washing machine goes to heating the water. Washing only on a cold wash cycle can save you around $150 a year.
• Consider installing a solar system on your roof. Solar roof options offer renewable energy at an affordable price.

Guest post by Matt Smith. Matt is an editor and a home improvement and green technology writer for Fortified Roofing.