Managing your home’s energy usage during the spring months can be tricky. Depending on where you live, you might need heating at night and air conditioning during the day. Fluctuating temperatures, dampness, and intermittent sunshine can actually lead to higher energy consumption in many areas of the country.

To avoid this scenario, it’s important to develop an energy strategy for spring weather. By learning from common mistakes and implementing the suggestions of HVAC specialists, you can make better use of the ambient temperatures and stay comfortable in your home without running up your monthly energy bill. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Make use of natural warmth and light

Once the temperature rises into the 50s, consider giving your furnace a break from all the hard work it’s been doing. Open up your home and allow the warm breezes to come in. You might need to dress warm around the house, but every day you don’t run the heater is money in your pocket. On warmer days, keep the windows open and use fans to help circulate the air. Spring is often the season when ambient temperatures are closest to the temperatures we want in our homes. Running your fan clockwise is better for pushing warm air back down into the house, while a counterclockwise rotation is better for cooling the home by drawing warm air up.

If the weather outside is clear and cool, take advantage of the sunlight. Remember not to leave curtains or blinds shut when direct sunlight is available. It will bring valuable warmth into your home and reduce your need to run the furnace. The longer days (especially after daylight savings goes into effect) can also reduce your need to use lamps and overhead lighting during the morning and late afternoon.

2. Schedule your A/C for maintenance

Your A/C isn’t working hard yet, but it will be. Before spring turns to summer, it’s a smart move to schedule a preventative maintenance visit with your local HVAC specialist. This will ensure that you achieve maximum cooling strength and efficiency when the time comes to turn on that air conditioner. Remember: Cutting your annual energy costs is about planning ahead and seeing the bigger picture.

3. Look at what you spent last spring

If you compare your energy expenditures from the previous spring to those of winter, you’ll get a sense of how much energy you are—or are not—saving. Taking a look at your household energy usage gives you valuable perspective on where the money is really going, and how you can clean up your energy usage.

4. Let other appliances work less

Warm spring breezes and sunshine are perfect for drying clothes. By making use of natural elements instead of running your dryer, you’ll make energy gains that add up over the weeks.

Save money this spring!

For many Americans, springtime is a precious opportunity to clean house, get outside and become more active as the cold of winter withdraws. By taking these energy saving tips to heart, you’ll be able to make the transition to summer with a lighter impact on your pocketbook.