After what felt like a long, cold winter – the first day of spring is finally here. Incoming sunshine will soon reveal greening grass, as well as memories of a snowy, wind-blown last couple months. Now is the perfect time to clean up and prepare your home, inside and out, for the warmer weather ahead. Doing this can help save energy, and potentially money, on your monthly bill. 

Air Conditioning Unit

If you have an air conditioning unit that braved winter’s worst, take time to get it ready for increased use. This can ensure it won’t break down when it is needed most. Check for and remove any fallen limbs or overgrown vegetation. Once cleared, clean the outside compressor with a garden hose, shutting off the power at the fuse or breaker first.

For those using a window AC unit, make sure it is the right size for the window it will be in. It is better to get one that is too small than too large, which would turn off and on more frequently.

Windows

Air leaks around windows are frequently discussed in winter but are important to look for in summer too. Up to 25% of energy used to heat or cool a home can escape through air leaks. Prioritize checking around your windows now for possible leaks. This can keep cool air indoors where it is needed most on a hot day. Weather stripping, available at most grocery and hardware stores, can help safely repair the problem.

Lights and Ceiling Fan

With warmer temperatures on the horizon, ceiling fans can help keep your home cool. Make sure you change the fan’s direction to rotate counterclockwise in the summer months. Doing this creates an artificial breeze, making the room feel cooler. This is especially useful in rooms where there is frequent traffic.

Add dusting light fixtures and bulbs to your spring cleaning to do list. This task, which should be done regularly, can help remove heavy coats of dust that block up to 50% of the light output. Also, make sure you are using LED bulbs, which use 90% less energy and last 25 times longer. Replacing just five bulbs can save around $75 a year.

Looking for additional ways to save? I&M customers can complete an Online Energy Checkup to identify additional energy-saving opportunities at home. This fast, easy option can show where your home uses energy. It can also provide energy-saving tips for any season. For immediate savings, I&M will send homeowners a free kit of energy-saving products upon survey competition. Kits are limited to one per I&M account every three years.

Learn more about energy-saving practices, preparing your home for the cooler months ahead and browse energy-saving tips, products, rebates and discounts to help kickstart your savings at www.ElectricIdeas.com.