With the temperature rising, the days getting longer and the coronavirus in the news, you may be feeling the urge to start your spring cleaning a little earlier than usual.
But you can do more than just make your house shine — with a little extra effort, you can make it more energy efficient and more comfortable.
“Spring is a good time of year to inspect your home and clean or repair things that could be wasting energy and costing you extra money on your utility bills,” Clark Public Utilities Energy Services Supervisor DuWayne Dunham said. “Plus, if you have to schedule equipment replacements, repairs or upgrades you can make those plans for when the weather is mild.”
Refrigerators alone make up about 15 percent of your home energy bill. Fridges work more efficiently when the coils are clean. While you’ve got the vacuum or duster out, clear those coils. They’re found on the back or bottom of the fridge.
Clean out the exhaust fans in your laundry room, bathroom and kitchen. Many range fans also have filters that need to cleaned, some should be replaced.
Cleaning fan filters improves efficiency and saves energy because the fan isn’t working so hard, and keeps the air in your home cleaner and healthier.
Check the weather stripping around exterior doors, add or replace it as needed. Not sure if it’s still working? With your door shut, look for light between the door and the door frame.
Sometimes the weather stripping isn’t bad, but rather the door needs to be adjusted for a better seal.
When you’re cleaning the floors, bring the cleaning to a deeper level and clean out the central air system’s supply vents. The vents are usually located on the floor. Remove the vent cover and either hand-remove or vacuum out the debris.
With your attention focused on the HVAC system, replace the filters on your furnace. If you have a ductless heat pump, clean the head unit’s screens and replace the filters — if it has them.
The spring is also a good time of year to have your heating and cooling system inspected and maintained. If your system is having issues, it’s better to catch them during the shoulder seasons — not when temperatures are at their extremes.
When you’re working outside, examine your heat pump and air conditioners. Clear any debris away from them and make sure vegetation isn’t growing too close to the units. In general, units should have about five feet of clearance.
If you plan to pressure wash your home’s exterior, inspect the caulk around doors, windows and fixtures first. If it’s cracked or peeling, tear off the old caulk and apply a new layer. Allow any new caulk to dry before you wash your house.
Finally, if your home has vent covers on the foundation, remove them and throw them in the trash.
“Vent covers do more harm than good,” Dunham said. “Before floor insulation was standard, vent covers were useful during the winter. But today’s homes have insulated floors and vent covers only trap moisture and possibly radon gas beneath the home — both of which are the last things you want getting into your living space.”
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.
