Spruce up your spring cleaning with efficiency 

Spring is the ideal time to declutter, deep clean and implement practices that not only tidy a home but also reduce energy consumption, contributing to its energy efficiency and saving money. 

Even though it’s out of sight, don’t leave it out of mind: Check the filter in your HVAC system. Your furnace worked hard during the winter. Ensuring your system has a clean filter is a low-cost and easy way to protect your equipment, maximize its efficiency and extend its life. 

While the filter is easy to replace yourself, you should have your indoor and outdoor air conditioning units serviced and professionally cleaned. Dirty refrigerant coils reduce efficiency. This also applies to heat pumps and ductless heat pumps, also known as mini-split systems. 

Window AC units can get dirty, too. Always unplug before cleaning, and wait until completely dry to plug it back in again. 

See clearly 

Clean windows allow more light into the home, reducing the need to turn on lamps and overhead fixtures. While you’re at it, check the seals and sash locks to ensure they close tightly and check for areas that need caulking or sealing to reduce drafts. 

Cleaning light fixtures and fixture covers can brighten your space by removing dust and grime collected during the winter. It’s a good time to check your bulbs and replace any incandescent or compact fluorescent with energy-saving LEDs. 

If oven cleaning is on the spring chore list, give the oven window extra elbow grease. A clean oven window lets you see how the food is cooking without opening the oven door, which wastes energy.

MIRANDA BOUTELLE writes on energy efficiency for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.