The weather outside can be as frightful in March as in January, but the early spring usually sneaks in a few warm-weather days here and there. Take advantage of them.

Turn off your furnace and treat your home—and its occupants—to a taste of the pleasant weather to come. Here’s how to take advantage of those early glimpses of spring—and save some household energy while you’re at it:

1. Open the windows.
If it’s warm enough to let some fresh air in during this in-between season of no heaters and no air conditioners, do it. Leave the windows open overnight to air out the house and stave off the need for the air conditioner. It’s good for your health to bring in fresh air after a long winter of homes being mostly closed up.

2. Let the sunshine in.
Open the drapes on sunny days and let nature keep your home warm. As it starts getting hot, though, cover windows up so incoming sun-rays won’t compete with the air conditioner.

3. Cook outdoors.
Dust off the grill and start cookout season early this year. Switch the direction of the blades on your ceiling fan. For warm weather, return the blades to a counterclockwise rotation. And be sure to turn off the fan when the room isn’t occupied.

4. Readjust your water heater’s temperature.
Set your water heater’s temperature to 120 degrees if you cranked it up a few degrees for the winter.

5. Give your clothes dryer a rest and line dry clothes.
When you need to run the dryer, run full loads only and make sure to clean the clothes dryer lint trap after each use.

6. Use LED bulbs.
Replace all your old incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs. They use less energy and last longer. Remember to turn the lights out when you’re done!

7. Schedule your home’s air conditioner maintenance.
Schedule now, before you need to turn on the air conditioning for the summer.

TAKE CHARGE.

Save on your Electric bill and Request our Farmers EC Home Energy Efficiency Guide in the Efficiency hub.