As temperatures begin to warm up, your home’s energy needs start to shift. Spring is the perfect time to build better energy habits, whether adjusting your thermostat or sealing up spots where air leaks out. Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. in Nashua, NH, wants to help you get a head start this season by offering easy, practical ways to cut back on energy use before summer hits.
Get Ahead With a Spring HVAC Tune-Up
Once the weather starts to warm up, your HVAC system moves from heating to cooling. That change makes spring a smart time to book a tune-up. A technician can check refrigerant levels, clean the coils, and catch issues early before they become costly breakdowns. This kind of upkeep might seem boring, but it keeps your air conditioning running smoother and more efficiently. That efficiency helps lower energy bills when summer kicks in and demand rises.
Cleaning or swapping out your filters also helps. Dust and pollen build up fast in spring, and when your filter clogs, the unit works harder to pull air through. Our annual maintenance plans make tune-ups effortless to schedule and include other perks.
Adjust the Thermostat With the Weather
Spring weather can be all over the place. One day’s cool breeze turns into the next day’s sunny burst. If you manually change your thermostat to match the weather, you might be overusing your HVAC system. Programmable thermostats give you more control with less guesswork. You can set a schedule that works with your routine and avoids heating or cooling an empty house.
During spring, mild afternoons make opening windows easy and letting the breeze do the work. Instead of running the AC while you’re home in a t-shirt with open windows, use those hours to give your HVAC a break. Then, program your system to kick in only when indoor temperatures go outside your comfort zone. These small steps help you avoid unnecessary power use; over a few months, those changes add up to real savings.
Seal Leaks Before You Lose More Air
Cold drafts get a lot of attention in the winter, but air leaks also matter in spring and summer. If you have gaps around windows, doors, or ducts, your cool air will sneak out, and the warm air will find a way in. Your system has to work harder to keep up, which means higher energy bills. Walk around your home and feel for areas where the air seems to move when it shouldn’t.
You might find a small gap near the baseboard or a worn-out seal around an exterior door. These problems don’t take long to fix. A little weather stripping or a quick touch-up with caulk can stop those leaks from messing with your indoor comfort. You can also check the attic or basement for spots where insulation might need some attention. If your home has older ductwork, there could be leaks in places you don’t see. Sealing those joints could keep heated or cooled air moving where you want it.
Use Natural Light Without Overheating the Room
As the days get longer, natural light fills your home. While it’s nice to flip off lamps and enjoy the sun, all that sunlight brings heat. You might love your large windows in the spring, but if they aren’t treated properly, they can make your HVAC system work harder. Using curtains or shades helps regulate the temperature inside without sacrificing comfort. Light-colored window treatments reflect sunlight better than dark ones.
For rooms that face south or west, a good pair of blackout curtains or cellular shades can make a big difference in how cool the room stays through the afternoon. You can keep the blinds open in the morning and draw them later when the sun starts warming up the space. Some homeowners install reflective window film to block heat while keeping the view. These little tweaks help you enjoy more daylight while using less energy to stay comfortable.
Choose Fans First Before Turning on the AC
When your home feels warm and stale, it’s easy to go straight for the air conditioning. But before turning it on, try using a ceiling fan. While fans don’t lower the room temperature, they help you feel cooler by moving air across your skin. That breeze can let you raise the thermostat a few degrees without feeling the difference.
If you haven’t already adjusted your fan direction, spring is a good time to do it. The blades should spin counterclockwise in warmer months so the air flows downward. That slight shift makes the space feel more comfortable without using as much energy.
Portable fans can help if you just want to cool down one room. Using a fan for a few hours costs far less than running your air conditioner, and when you combine the two, your HVAC system gets a break. This strategy works well in the evenings when outdoor air cools, but your home still holds some of the day’s warmth.
Swap Inefficient Light Bulbs and Appliances
Spring cleaning usually brings out the urge to tackle closets, wipe down hidden spots, and maybe switch up some furniture. While you’re already in refresh mode, take a moment to notice what around the house might be using more electricity than needed. Some older appliances or forgotten gadgets quietly pull more energy than expected.
Old light bulbs can make a noticeable difference on your electric bill, primarily if you still use incandescent ones. Swapping them for LED bulbs reduces energy use and the amount of heat those bulbs add to your home. The same goes for older appliances. If your fridge, dishwasher, or washing machine has been hanging around for a decade or longer, it might be worth looking into newer models. Modern appliances use less energy and less water, which helps on multiple fronts. You don’t need to replace everything at once, but upgrading the most used items one at a time makes a difference.
Make Outdoor Spaces Work for You
Thoughtfully placed trees and shrubs can add curb appeal while shading your home, keeping it cooler and easing the strain on your HVAC system. If your outdoor unit sits in direct sunlight, it might have to work harder than it should. A fence or a few tall plants nearby can help block that heat but leave enough space for airflow and maintenance access. You can also look at hard surfaces around your home, like driveways, patios, or walkways. Concrete and asphalt absorb heat and can radiate it back toward your house. Adding mulch, pavers, or plants in those areas softens the landscape and helps reduce reflected heat.
Check Your Water Heater Settings
If your water heater is set too high, you’re using more power than necessary. A safe and efficient setting is around 120 degrees. That gives you plenty of hot water for showers and dishes without overheating. If your unit has a vacation setting or timer, use that when you’re away.
For families who spend weekends out of town or travel for spring break, dialing back the temperature while you’re gone keeps the heater from running nonstop for no reason. You might also want to check if your tank needs insulation. Older models sometimes lose heat through the tank walls, so wrapping it with a proper insulating jacket could help you cut back on power use.
Don’t Ignore an Inefficient AC
If your AC isn’t as efficient as it used to be or is struggling in other ways, it might need more than a tune-up. Putting off heater and AC repairs generally causes problems to escalate, and in the meantime, you’re just throwing away money if it ins’t working well. Call an AC repair expert to save money and use less energy as the weather warms up.
Make Changes for Spring
You don’t need to make huge changes to see a difference in your energy bills. When your home works more efficiently, you feel better, spend less, and stay comfortable. For help with maintenance, repairs, or upgrades that improve energy efficiency, contact Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc.. We also offer high-velocity HVAC, indoor air quality, oil-to-gas conversion, water heaters and new construction HVAC services.
