Four Energy Efficiency Tips for Spring Cleaning

The birds are chirping, the flowers are budding, and the sun is shining longer with each passing day. Spring is here! As we put away our winter gear and prepare for the warmer months ahead, it’s a wonderful time for some spring cleaning. The sponsors of Mass Save^® – Cape Light Compact, Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil – have some great spring cleaning tips that will also help improve your home’s energy efficiency.

1. Organize Your Entertainment Center
   Getting your home in order is an ambitious goal. Cleaning up your indoor living space and decluttering is a great place to start. Adding a tier 2 advanced power strip (APS) to your home entertainment center is a smart way to organize all those wires, while also benefiting from energy savings. Helping to reduce energy waste by cutting both standby and active power waste, a tier 2 APS senses when a device is turned off or left idle and subsequently cuts power to that unit and supporting devices. For simple setup, be sure to check out our informative tier 2 APS video. And don’t forget - discounted advanced power strips are easy to find, thanks to the sponsors of Mass Save! You can find a retailer near you that carries advanced power strips by using our store finder or check out what is available through our online store.


2. Replace Your Old Dehumidifier
   If you have an old, working dehumidifier that you are looking to upgrade or get rid of, the sponsors of Mass Save can help! Through partnerships with local retailers and communities, the sponsors are hosting dozens of dehumidifier recycling events this fall: if you happen to live in a participating town or can make it to one of our retail events, you can recycle your dehumidifier for free, plus receive a $30 rebate for participating. With events scheduled across Massachusetts throughout the season, you will be sure to find one near you. You will also feel relieved knowing that your unit is being recycled responsibly rather than ending up in a landfill. If you’re in the market for a new dehumidifier, the sponsors of Mass Save also offer a $30 rebate when you purchase a qualifying ENERGY STAR^® certified unit.  These units have more efficient refrigerator coils, compressors, and fans that lead them to use 28% less energy than non-certified models. With this upgrade, you will be better prepared for the warm, humid Massachusetts summer we all anticipate is ahead.


3. Upgrade Your Outdoor Lighting to LEDs
   With the warmer weather, it’s the perfect time to tidy up and make some improvements to the exterior of your home. Consider updating your outdoor lighting, which can be energy-intensive. Because outdoor lighting typically requires higher wattage bulbs, it’s important to choose ENERGY STAR certified LEDs, which are guaranteed to provide bright, long-lasting light while also delivering energy-savings. Updating your outdoor bulbs is a smart and easy home improvement going into the warmer months when we want to enjoy the outdoors, even into the evenings. When shopping, be sure to purchase LEDs that are suitable for outdoor use, so they can withstand New England weather. Outdoor LEDs will be marked on their packaging as damp-rated, meaning the bulbs should still be shielded from rain or snow, or wet-rated, meaning the bulbs can take on direct exposure to the elements.


4. Recycle Your Refrigerator
Old refrigerators and freezers may consume as much as four times the energy than newer, ENERGY STAR certified models. As you embark on spring cleaning, now is a great time to upgrade your unit! To help with this process, the sponsors of Mass Save operate an appliance recycling program that offers free pickup of working primary or secondary refrigerators and freezers, plus a rebate! You can easily schedule your pickup today by calling 1-877-889-4791 or going online. Given that these appliances contain several components that are hazardous if not handled correctly, it’s refreshing to know that there is a convenient, no-cost way to have your unit recycled responsibly.  Plus, you’ll make room for a shiny, new ENERGY STAR certified unit to spruce up your home this spring.

Spring cleaning isn’t always fun, but the reward of a having a less cluttered, more comfortable, and more energy-efficient home makes it worthwhile. So this year, tackle spring cleaning head-on with these four energy efficiency tips!