Conserve Energy While Spring Cleaning

Ducts and vents see a lot of action throughout the day. As you’re cleaning your home, take the time to give them a deep clean. First, wipe out any dirt and debris they have collected. When your vents are clogged, your HVAC system has to work harder to push air through, expending more energy in the process. Additionally, checking for leaks and sealing your ducts can help ensure your air moves where you want it without wasting energy in other areas.

Cleaning your air ducts and vents will do more than conserve energy. Ductwork and vents collect dirt quite quickly, and when your air blows through your system, it blows that layer of dust and other small particles through the air. You inhale those particles without realizing it as you go about your day. Cleaning your vents and ducts will improve air quality, making it easier for you to breathe and lengthening your system’s life span simultaneously.

Replacing your air filter is another way to get clean air filtering through your home. When your air filters have a thick coat of debris, it obstructs the air flow, and the air that does come through is poor quality, which is not good for your health. Additionally, that dirt can affect your system’s ability to absorb heat, making the air that comes through feel warmer than your desired temperature.

Replacing your air filter can save you up to 15% in energy costs. If you use your air system a lot or have pets that shed a lot of hair, you should expect to change your filter more frequently to ensure good air quality in your home. If your system has a reusable filter, make sure you take the time to clean it while you scrub the rest of your home.

Consider what kind of bulb you’re using when you move to wipe down your ceiling fans, lampshades, and light coverings. If you don’t already have LED bulbs, now is the perfect time to switch. LED bulbs use 75%-80% less energy than other lightbulbs and can save you significant energy and money over time.

These bulbs don’t produce any heat and last for years longer than other bulbs, so you can save money on replacement bulbs and energy at the same time. You can even find smart LED bulbs that allow you to turn them on and off or dim them from your smart devices to conserve even more energy and control your light sources. With LED bulbs, you can match the mood of the day or night and save energy too.

Maintaining windows and doors can be intimidating, especially if you have a lot of them. Unfortunately, unless you schedule a special cleaning service, this is something you’ll have to do on your own. While you’re wiping away those fingerprints and smudges, inspect the edges and make sure no gaps or cracks let your air escape. Additionally, clean all of the grime and grit you see because large amounts of buildup can create those gaps and cracks.

If you do notice any open spaces, there are a couple of ways to patch them up. You can use a door stopper to close the gap between your floor and the bottom of the door to help it fit snugly in the frame. You can use caulk to seal your air leaks for windows or other areas near your walls.

You can save significant energy by keeping your home a little warmer than usual during the summer. Rather than keeping your home 20 degrees cooler than the outside air, keep your home set to a medium temperature. Most people will be comfortable in 75 degrees, and this will typically be cooler than the outside summer air. It might be a little warmer than what you’re used to, but you’ll save a lot of energy. You’ll save even more if you can bump the temperature up an additional degree or two.

Furthermore, if you don’t have a programmable or smart thermostat, you should consider investing in one. You can use a smart thermostat to set timers to run your air and turn it off at specific times. For example, you could schedule your air conditioner to run in the morning but shut it off after you usually leave for work. You can even signal for the air to come back on when you’re on your way home, so you’ll still feel cool air when you walk through the door.

Even if you don’t have a smart thermostat, you can adjust traditional ones at different times. For example, you can turn your air off when you’re getting ready for bed. If you open your bedroom window and close your door, you’ll experience the cool night air fluttering through your window. You can close your window and draw the shades to keep the sunlight and warm air outside in the morning. This way, you’ll still be comfortable 24 hours a day, but you’ll get to save some energy throughout the night.

Maid Bright has been servicing the Washington, D.C., metro area since 2004. Maid Bright offers various cleaning services. You can schedule a one-time spring cleaning or create a recurring schedule so you know your home is always in the best shape.

Your safety is our top priority, so we use eco-friendly products for our services. When you schedule with us, our cleaners will bring all the equipment they need to perform a professional clean that will give you a clean home that sparkles.

Schedule a cleaning service with us and enjoy a fresh clean from our friendly and dependable team members, who use our best techniques to make your home shine.