Five Spring Cleaning Tasks You Can Do Cheaply

Spring cleaning has arrived, that delightful time of year when your kids complain and sulk through each chore, and your partner looks for an excuse to leave the house. They need a piece of information that you do. A clean, fresh home makes you feel better and more at peace and lowers your monthly utility expenses, allowing you to save money and energy.

It is true! You'll be surprised at how much money you can save by completing a few extra deep-cleaning activities this spring. You can lower the energy used in your home by completing the five actions listed below. Contact a local HVAC and plumbing specialist if you have any questions; they can provide you with more details on energy efficiency.

Fix leaks as the first spring cleaning tip

Did you know that money is being secretly flushed down the drain by your running toilet and dripping kitchen faucet? Numerous leaks in the typical American home lose more than 10,000 gallons of water annually. You could eliminate all that water with just one quick visit from the plumber, saving you hundreds of dollars in water costs.

You can fix some of these leaks if they aren't too complicated. However, there may be hidden leaks hurting the house and raising the expense of water each month. You can have the plumber address leaks and replace any old, water-wasting fixtures at your home. Your water bill will reflect the results right away.

Second-best advice for spring cleaning: Maintain your air conditioner.

Whether dirt, dust, debris, corrosion, clogged filters, or even closed vents, your air conditioner must work more to keep your home cool. The sweltering summer months will soon arrive, and your air conditioner will be turned on. Your bill will be far higher than necessary if your air conditioner utilizes more energy than is required to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

Your HVAC expert can ensure your air conditioner runs to its full potential by inspecting your heating and air conditioning system. They will clean the components and vents, make minor repairs, and stop bigger, more expensive issues from happening in the future. A maintenance check can not only help you save money each month on your power bill by extending the lifespan of your AC.

Cleaning the coils on the refrigerator is the third spring cleaning tip.

Unsurprisingly, the biggest electricity consumers in your home are large appliances like your refrigerator and washing machine. Your refrigerator uses a lot of energy and can significantly raise your monthly utility cost if the coils are dirty or the temperature is set too low.

Carefully detach the refrigerator from the wall, disconnect it, and clear the accumulated debris on the coils. You can use the vacuum cleaner's hose, but you might need to clean up all the trash with soap and warm water. Give the refrigerator's coils enough time to dry before plugging them back in.

Additionally, it would be best if you gently raised the refrigerator's temperature (the optimal range is 36-38 degrees Fahrenheit for the fridge and 0-5 degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer). Place your refrigerator as far away from other heat sources (such as the oven and dishwasher) as possible, and clear out any leftover food and junk. These things will make your refrigerator work better and use less electricity.

The landscape is tip 4 for spring cleaning.

As unbelievable as it may sound, the vegetation in your yard significantly impacts how energy-efficiently your house runs. Although it only has a small impact, it adds to substantial savings over time.

To begin with, you should check to see that no vegetation is too close to your foundation or any exterior components of your air conditioner. Plants obstruct vents, allowing water to enter your home.

Think about planting some trees in the vicinity of your home. Tall evergreen trees on the west and north sides of your home offer wind protection and help keep your heating costs down in the winter, while deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves each fall) on the west and south sides offer summer shade and cooling for your home.

Decluttering is the fifth spring cleaning tip.

Get rid of worn-out clothing, expired food, and other objects rarely used so that cleaning and maintaining a tidy home will be easier. A clutter-free home has also been shown to foster calm and relaxation. However, arranging your home can also make it more energy-efficient. You can accumulate a lot of trash in front of vents without realizing it, which lowers the efficiency of your air conditioner.

Consider what you should throw out, donate, and sell as you organize your home. You could be surprised by the amount of money it will put in your pocket and the number of goods you can sell online.

Want more help lowering your recurring energy costs? Although a great start, these spring cleaning duties are only the beginning. Talk to your HVAC and plumbing professionals to find out how you may continue to save money each year.