Spring is a perfect time of the year to make your home more energy-efficient. Here are five quick tips that will save both energy and money.

1. Seal the cracks and gaps around your home. Spring may be the right time to put away those storm windows, but it is also a good time to add weather-stripping and caulking around leaky windows. Don’t stop there; look for penetrations around your home that may need maintenance. Caulking cracks for air sealing should be done inside the home, not outside.
2. Change filters monthly. Furnace and air conditioner filters need to be changed regularly. This will maintain your HVAC system’s ability to operate at maximum performance. Dirty filters can restrict air flow and reduce the overall efficiency of your cooling system making it consume more energy to do its job.
3. Check your refrigerator. Clean the outside of the refrigerator as well as the inside. Gently vacuuming the outside coils and checking the seals for air leaks can improve the refrigerator’s efficiency. Ideally, a refrigerator’s temperature should be between 37 and 40 degrees for maximum efficiency. When it’s time to replace your refrigerator, be sure to buy an ENERGY STAR-labeled appliance.
4. Think sun block. You can save on your cooling costs each month by closing the blinds on your east- and west-facing windows.
5. Control temperature settings. The Department of Energy suggests setting your thermostat to 78 F in the summer and 68 F in the winter.