Spring cleaning is about making fresh starts, improving comfort, and following better habits. But in the hustle and bustle of spring cleaning, it’s easy to use extra energy.
Save power during April showers and follow these five easy ideas for saving while spring cleaning!
Set your thermostat
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% by setting your thermostat back 7°-10°F from its normal setting for eight hours a day. Pro Tip: If you’re worried about being uncomfortable, turn your thermostat down when you’re not at home. With an ENERGY STAR® certified Wi-Fi programmable thermostat, you can adjust your thermostat from your smartphone before leaving work, so your house will be nice and comfy when you get home. Plus, it comes with a $75 rebate from us! Save even more with a $50 e-gift card for enrolling your Wi-Fi thermostat with PSO Power Hours.
Open your windows
Is it a mild, breezy day? Or even a warmer day with a strong breeze? Cool your home with the natural cross breeze by opening your windows and letting the wind do the work! Just remember to turn off your A/C so you’re not letting out cool air.
Use your fans—ceiling and bathroom
If it’s a little too warm to cool your home with a breeze, run your ceiling and bathroom fans instead. Running your ceiling fan counterclockwise pulls warm air up and pushes cool air down, so your A/C doesn’t have to work as hard. Ditto for the bathroom fan, which pushes out the heat and humidity, and helps maintain a comfortable airflow.
Bring in the sunlight
Switch off the artificial lights and brighten your home with the biggest light there is — the sun! When the sun goes down and the lights come on, make sure you’re using energy-efficient LED bulbs, which use up to 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
Cook outside
When the weather is warm, skip the kitchen and cook on an outdoor grill instead. You’ll save energy, make your home more comfortable, and keep your A/C from working too hard (since it doesn’t have to cool down your home from cooking). Plus, there’s just something special about cooking outside in the spring and summer!