South Bay Energy Reviews: Spring Cleaning for Energy Savings

While temperatures are still dipping below zero, weather experts predict spring to come some time in March. If you think about it, that’s not too far away, particularly if you want to prepare your house for the warmer weather. It’s the perfect time to make some quick fixes to your home that will help you save on energy costs.

1) Clean out your fridge. Check your fridge for scraps of food left over from the holidays. This will help air circulate more efficiently. Roll your fridge away from the wall and clean the dust out from the coils with a vacuum cleaner. You might also want to move it to another location, particularly if it’s positioned next to an oven or is exposed directly to sunlight.

2) Check for cracks in the wall. If your wall already had cracks before winter, chances are high that snow or liquid water might have seeped inside them and turned into ice, making the cracks bigger by the time spring comes around. This results in air leaks and issues with structural integrity. Have a professional look for these cracks and seal them with caulking to prevent cool air from leaking out and to help maintain the sturdiness of your home.

3) Tune up your air conditioner. It’s never too early to give your air conditioner the servicing it needs. Clean or replace your filters and evaporator coils and check how much refrigerant is left. It’s also a good idea to have a professional HVAC technician inspect your air conditioner and do preventive maintenance procedures. Acting as early as now could help your air conditioner become around 15% more energy efficient.

4) Drain your water heater. You might need to use the heater less as temperatures outside start rising, but you’ll still need hot water for showers, laundry, and dishwashing. Spring is the best time to drain the water heater tank to keep debris and other foreign objects from building up. You could also adjust the thermostat to a lower temperature to prevent scalding.