Spring Home Energy Checklist

Although it might not quite feel like it, spring has sprung in New England and the warmer weather is here! While this is cause for excitement, as it means grilling, pool parties, and beach days are on their way, you should take a second to ask yourself if your house is ready for spring. We’ve put a checklist together below to help you cross off the essential "To Do's."

• Adjust your water heater temperature. Make sure your water heater is turned down to save energy on heating bills. Water heated to higher temperatures also poses a safety hazard – scalding.


• Look at your appliance settings. If your clothes dryer, refrigerator, freezer, or dishwasher has an “energy-saving” setting, turn it on to reap the benefits of the efficiency cycles.


• Do an audit of the light bulbs you’re using at home. If you are still using regular incandescent light bulbs, especially in fixtures that are used often, you’re missing out on big energy savings. Think about switching CFLs to ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs in the areas using the most light.


• Take a look at your home’s insulation, particularly in the attic. If there isn’t any at all (or you have minimal insulation), it’s a good idea to think about getting your home insulated before you turn the air conditioning on for the season – this will help prevent the cool air from seeping out and being wasted.


• Consider purchasing a programmable or wifi thermostat for your home. This will allow you to set the temperature to be exactly right when you need it to be. The key is to establish a program that automatically reduces heating and cooling in your home when you don't need as much – like when you’re away from home or asleep. Read more here.


• Schedule a Home Energy Assessment to get a read on your home’s overall energy consumption and the steps you need to take to save big on your bills this spring and summer. Call 1-866-527-7283 to schedule an assessment if you live in a 1 to 4 unit home, or click here to learn more.


• Examine the windows in your home. Do any feel drafty? Do you notice the sound of wind coming through them? You might have a few leaky windows, which can really impact how efficient your home’s air conditioning is.


• Open up the vents. Make sure that all vents attached to your air conditioning system are open to allow the proper air flow and lessen the load on the system.

Making sure that these essentials are crossed off your list before gearing up for spring can help you save in the long run. Read our other blog posts to learn about more easy ways to save money and energy at home today!