A great thing about the Spring season is the lower energy bills for your home. In springtime, you can finally turn off the heater. The longer daylight hours also means you can keep lights off for a longer period of time. Although springtime will give your bank account a much-needed break from the high utility bills, with summer just around the corner it won’t be long until the bills return. This is why spring is the perfect season to get a jumpstart on the interior and exterior work that will make your home more energy efficient. There are a few recommended projects you might want to consider this spring.
1. Weatherstripping
A simple DIY project that will increase your home’s energy efficiency is simply weather stripping all of your outdoor doors. Measure the perimeters of your door frames and buy an adequate amount of weatherstripping material. It is recommended that your purchase about 10% extra weatherstripping material to make sure you do not run out. Apply the weatherstripping materials to your door frames. This will ensure that cool air does not escape your home this summer. This will also improve next winter’s utility bills since you will use less heat to stay warm.
2. Seal Air Leaks with Caulk
Aside from sealing up your doors with weather stripping, another project you can get done before installing air conditioners later this summer is sealing up air leaks. Inspect around your home for cracks and holes that air might be escaping through. One trick that is recommended is to use a lighter to detect air movement. Hold a lit lighter up near cracks and if the flame moves towards you then you know air is passing. Once you have determined areas that need work, use a caulk gun to seal these areas and give them time to dry. Getting this done before installing air conditioners will save you from a high electric bill later on.
3. Have an Electrician Inspect and Update your Wiring
A quicker project you can have done this spring is an inspection. If you live in an older home or it has been a long time since an electrician has been to your home, consider hiring an electrician to check your circuit board, fusebox, & wiring for damage and needed updates. Having an inspection is the best way to avoid outages and keep your home safe. Having updated wiring is also beneficial for electrical efficiency.
If you need an inspection this Spring, contact us as Cardoso Electrical Services. We specialize in Residential, Commercial, and Industrial wiring for the Northern Massachusettes and Southern New Hampshire & Vermont areas.