Article courtesy of Questline Digital
Edited and updated by Mariana Greene
Spring is here. The weather is getting warmer and the days are growing longer. It's the perfect time to start those outdoor projects you've been planning and explore new ways to make your home more energy efficient. The following home improvements and lifestyle changes will help lower your energy bills and reduce your environmental impact.
1. Spring cleaning
While you're chasing those dust bunnies around, look for ways to save energy. Clean under and behind your refrigerator to keep it operating efficiently. Dust light bulbs to get more light for your money. Clean exhaust fans and air intakes. If you have baseboard heating, clean the blades. Removing accumulated dust can create better air flow and help your system run more efficient. If you have a sliding glass door, wash the track. Dirt buildup can damage the door seal and create gaps where cool air can escape.
2. Check your cooling system
Hire a qualified professional to inspect and clean your air conditioning system. Replace the system's air filter and adjust thermostat settings for warmer weather. If you haven't done so already, install a programmable thermostat. It will optimize savings and add convenience by adjusting the temperature to fit your schedule — automatically! Don't forget to clean any debris around the outside of your system.
3. Install ceiling fans
Ceiling fans circulate the air, making rooms feel cooler, which means you can raise the temperature setting up to 4°F without compromising comfort. Remember that ceiling fans only make you feel cooler, not the room. Turn them off in empty rooms to avoid wasting energy.
4. Seal air leaks
Gaps and cracks in doors and windows send conditioned air, and your energy dollars, outside. Weatherstrip exterior doors and seal windows with caulk. Check for any gaps around outdoor plumbing and wiring access and seal with expanding foam insulation.
5. Plant some shade
Arbor Day is coming April 26. Celebrate by planting a shade tree along the south — or west — facing side of your home. Trees help shield your home from the sun in summer, keeping you cool and reducing your energy bill. They are good for the environment, too. Remember to call NC811 before you dig and consider the mature height of trees; select a location away from power lines. Visit our tree timming page for more information on planting trees, vegetation management and more.
6. Live greener
Spring is the perfect time to renew your commitment to living a greener lifestyle. Walk or ride a bike instead of driving a car whenever possible. Start a compost bin for recycling kitchen and yard waste. Install a rain barrel to save water for landscaping. Also, remember to reduce, reuse and recycle whatever you can! Explore NRLP's new Net Billing Rider if you're considering powering your home with solar energy. If you're ready to bring renewable energy into your home but aren't sure you want to commit to expensive equipment or long-term contracts, join NRLP's Green Power Program. For as little as $5 extra per month you'll join hundred of your neighbors, including the Town of Boone, Watauga County and App State's Boone campus in brining hydroelectric power to our local infrastructure.
By taking these steps, you can save energy and live more sustainably this spring and all year long.
A couple works on sealing drafts outside their home using caulking and a ladder.
Spring savings tips
