ENERGY EFFICIENCY DONE RIGHT FOR A MORE COMFORTABLE HOME
Summer is a good time to give your home a quick energy efficiency check-up. A little maintenance now goes a long way in keeping your home comfortable and your energy bills low.
Use this checklist to help your home run more efficiently this season — you can even download your own copy to check items off as you go!
1. Replace your furnace filter: A dirty furnace filter can restrict airflow and force your system to work harder. Even in the warmer months, your air conditioning unit uses the same air handler as your furnace, so it’s important to keep up with furnace filter changes. Replacing it every few months can help improve efficiency and indoor air quality.
2. Check that vents are clean and unobstructed: Walk through your home and make sure vents aren’t blocked by furniture, rugs, or clutter. Dust and pet hair can also build up over time, so give vent covers a quick vacuum, too. Proper airflow helps keep temperatures more consistent throughout the house.
3. Look for drafts around windows and doors: Cool air can escape through small gaps around older windows and doors, especially if weatherstripping or caulking has started to wear out. Check for cracks, loose seals, or signs of moisture damage. Sealing air leaks can help keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
4. Switch older lightbulbs to LEDs: If you notice flickering or dim lights, it may be time for a replacement. LED bulbs use less electricity and last much longer than incandescent bulbs.
5. Install faucet aerators or low-flow showerheads: Switch to low-flow showerheads and install faucet aerators — they reduce the amount of water you use and have to heat, helping you save on both your water and energy bills!
6. Clean around your air conditioning or air source heat pump unit: Leaves, grass clippings, dirt, and other debris can collect around outdoor air conditioning and air source heat pump units. Clearing the area around the unit can help improve airflow and efficiency. It’s also a good idea to trim back shrubs or plants growing too close to it.
7. Use curtains to keep the heat out: Closing blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day can help your home stay cool. It’s a simple way to help your air conditioner work a little less.
8. Give major appliances a quick check: Clean the lint trap in your dryer and vacuum dust from behind your refrigerator if you can safely reach it. Appliances tend to run more efficiently when they’re clean and free of build-up.
9. Take advantage of the summer weather: When you can, hang laundry outside to dry instead of using the dryer, and use the barbecue instead of the oven to keep extra heat out of the kitchen.
10. Pay attention to your energy bills: If you have high energy bills, it might be time for an EnerGuide home evaluation. Poor insulation, air leaks, or an inefficient heating and cooling system can all contribute to higher costs. A registered energy advisor will assess your home, showing you where your home is wasting energy and what you can do to fix it.
This seasonal checklist doesn’t have to take all weekend. Even a few small maintenance tasks can help your home stay comfortable and efficient throughout the summer months.
If you’re planning upgrades this summer, we offer rebates on products and home improvements that can help lower your energy use and improve your home’s comfort. Check out our offers to see how you can receive rebates for energy efficiency upgrades like insulation, heat pumps, smart thermostats, and high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, helping you save energy all year long.