4 Spring cleaning tips that can save you energy too

Clean your refrigerator coils.

Before your fridge starts to work extra hard in the heat of summer, give it a leg up by cleaning the condenser coils that are underneath your fridge. We are known for lots of dirt and pet hair here in Central Oregon which can build up on the coils. When they get clogged, they don’t release heat like they’re supposed to and end up working overtime. This uses more energy and can shorten the life of your appliance. You can look up how to clean your specific fridge or for most, you will just need to unplug your fridge, remove the grill plate at the bottom, and use a coil brush to brush the coils. Make sure to sweep or use a vacuum crevice tool to pick up any debris you knocked off the coils under your fridge.

Clean your dryer vent.

While you’re at it, let’s get your dryer up to snuff too. When you clean your vent, you will reduce a major fire risk in your home. The US Fire Administration reports that more than 2,900 home fires are started by clothes dryers each year. The removable lint trap in your dryer does a great job of collecting lint and other debris from your clothes, but it does not catch everything—especially if you’re not cleaning it out after each use! After you’ve taken out the lint trap filter, vacuum the lint in the trap housing. Next up, you’ll need a dryer vent cleaning kit. This is important because you’ll need a long flexible-handled brush to clean the rest of your ductwork. Get step by step instructions from Ace Hardware here.

Dust off your ceiling fan.

Yes, we know, that’s not an energy tip. The tip here is while you’re cleaning, flip the switch to make sure it’s going the right direction for cooling. In the summer, you want a counter-clockwise direction which will push air down and create a soft breeze. Ceiling fans make us feel cooler but don’t lower the temperature so turn them off when you aren’t in the room.

Change your AC and/or furnace filter. 

You should be changing your furnace and/or AC filter every three months. It’s OK, there is no time like the present to build this good habit! Try signing up for a delivery service that sends you filters when you need them or just scheduling a reminder. This is important to maintain good indoor air quality, to keep your furnace operating efficiently, and to prolong the life of your HVAC system. Get step by step instructions for your AC here and furnace here.