As we shake off the winter and welcome longer days, spring is a great time to check in on your home energy use. Small low-cost changes can make a difference in how efficiently you use electricity and natural gas. Here are five easy ways to save energy this spring.

When we “spring forward” our clocks on the second Sunday in March, use it as a reminder for a quick energy check-up. Update timers, review your programmable thermostat settings, and replace burnt-out bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. 

Install motion sensors in spaces you enter often with full hands or often forget to turn the lights off, like laundry rooms, playrooms, hallways or garages so they only turn on when needed. For outdoor lighting, use motion-activated sensors that only operate in the dark.

Most fans have a reverse switch that you can use as the seasons change. Set your fan to spin counterclockwise in warmer months, creating a breeze that evaporates moisture on your skin and helps you feel cooler. When the temperature cooler, switch it to clockwise to gently push warm air down from the ceiling. When you are standing under a fan turning clockwise, you shouldn’t feel a breeze. Remember to turn fans off when you leave the room to save electricity.   

Strategic landscaping can reduce cooling costs in summer and let in warmth during winter. Plant deciduous trees (which lose their leaves in the fall) on the sunny side of your home. They provide shade during hot months and allow sunlight through once the leaves drop. Thoughtful placement around windows can make a difference. 

As you freshen up your home this spring, look for simple ways to boost efficiency. Move furniture, carpet or other objects away from vents to keep air flowing freely. Vacuum dust from vents, registers and baseboard heaters. Clean or replace the filters in your furnace and air conditioner. Check weather-stripping on doors and windows. Wipe down light fixtures.