If you're like most people in the country, you were probably hit very hard by the winter and are kind of just done with cold weather. Luckily, depending on where you live, you might already be experiencing better, warmer weather. Spring is finally here, and now is the perfect time to take care of some home projects you've been putting off. The weather is warmer but not sweltering yet, and you can save some money as well as lower your energy bills. Here are a few good home projects to save big for the spring.
Air Conditioner Inspection and Maintenance
One of the reasons people have such high energy bills during the summer months is because their air conditioner is old or malfunctioning. If you have had your unit for more than ten years, it might be time to replace it. If not, you might just need to have it looked at. Inspections should be done every year to make sure everything is in running order. Replacing your filter can save you as much as 15% on your energy bill. If you have a propane-run unit, you know that there is a propane shortage in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Delaware, NJ and elsewhere in the country. We were able to find one place that offered propane at a reasonable price, but expect to pay higher prices wherever you are due to demand.
Get New Weather Stripping and Windows
Another area where you can save big on energy during the summer months is through replacing your weather stripping and/or windows. The idea here is that the cool air from indoors and the warm air from outside can leak out of and into the home. This means you're losing quality cool air and getting warm air instead, which will make you crank up the air conditioning. While you'll probably want to get professionals to install your windows, you can certainly put in new weather stripping yourself. Here is an easy guide from the US Energy Department.
Construct a Clothes Line
Give your dryer a break by constructing a new clothes line for your backyard. This project is rather easy to do, and you will feel like you're on Little House of the Prairie every time you bring out the clothes pins. Although quicker, a dryer is an energy hog. Using the warmer weather instead is an easy way to reduce your energy bill. If you must use your dryer, remember to clean out the lint filter.
Clean Out Your Fridge
We're not talking about food here. The coils in your fridge get dirty very easily, and this makes it not run nearly as well. The fridge uses a ton of energy, so any way to make it run more efficiently should certainly be considered. Luckily, cleaning your coils isn't too difficult. It mainly just involves unplugging the fridge, removing the plate if there is one, and dusting it with a rag and water. Once dry, put the plate back on, plug, and you should be good to go! These are just some of the many ways you can lower your energy bill for the spring and summer months. Here's to a fun and cheap summer!
