Quick and low-cost spring fixes that can help you save this summer...

Want to cut down on your energy bills each month?  Here are some tips to avoid a larger hole in your pocket:

-         Check the insulation in your attic.  Insulation should be at least 8 inches thick.  Many home owners forget to insulate the trap door to their attic, allowing heat to sneak into their home.

-         Replace your old thermostat with a programmable thermostat giving home owners the chance to preprogram more efficient temperatures for day and night.

-         Don’t forget to turn off exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms 20 minutes after use.

-         Check the weak points in your home.  Replace old weather strips on doors and windows that have become damaged with time to create a tight seal in their frames.  Make sure your drapes have light colored backing to avoid heat absorption.  You can avoid solar heating by placing reflective films on windows exposed to a lot of sunlight or planting shrubs or climbing vines around your home.

-         What temperature is your water heater set to?  Many home owners don’t realize that their water heater is set unnecessarily high.  The Department of Energy recommends that to conserve energy, you set your water heater to 120 degrees.  Also, insulating your water heater (check safety regulations with your manufacturer) and the first 6 feet of your hot and cold water pipes connected to the heater.

-         Using a ceiling fan in the more open spaces of your home can improve heating/cooling with better air circulation.

-         Have you remembered to close your fireplace dampener?

-         Check appliances to make sure they are running efficiently.  Does your refrigerator door still have a good seal? Have you cleaned your dryer’s exhaust?

-         Check air filters on your air conditioning unit and make sure that your outdoor unit hasn’t been bogged down by plants, dirt or debris.