After a long New England winter, many households open their heating bills with a wince. Spring is the perfect moment to take a fresh look at how your home uses energy. The heating season is fresh in your memory, drafty windows are easy to notice on breezy days, and a few simple fixes now can lower bills through summer cooling season and into next winter.
You do not need to be a contractor or own your home to benefit. Many energy-saving steps are inexpensive, renter-friendly, and quick. This guide offers a room-by-room spring energy check and ideas for helping neighbors save too.
Why Spring Is a Smart Time
In spring:
- You still remember which rooms felt cold or drafty all winter.
- Mild weather makes it comfortable to work on windows and doors.
- You can prepare for summer cooling before the first heat wave.
- Contractors and energy programs may have more availability than in fall.
Start With a Walk-Through
Grab a notebook and walk through your home on a breezy day. Note:
- Rooms that felt cold or drafty in winter
- Windows and doors where you feel air moving
- Gaps around pipes, outlets, or baseboards
- Lights left on in unused rooms
- Electronics plugged in but rarely used
- Thermostat settings and schedules
A simple draft test: on a breezy day, hold a stick of incense or a thin strip of tissue near windows, doors, and outlets. If the smoke or tissue moves, air is leaking. If you use incense, never leave it unattended and keep it away from curtains.
Windows and Doors
Drafts around windows and doors are among the most common energy wasters, especially in older New England homes.
- Weatherstripping: Adhesive foam or rubber strips seal gaps around doors and movable window sashes. They are inexpensive and usually easy to install.
- Door sweeps: A sweep on the bottom of an exterior door blocks drafts at the threshold.
- Caulk: Seal small gaps around stationary window frames and trim with caulk.
- Window treatments: Heavy curtains or cellular shades help insulate in winter and block heat in summer.
- Storm windows: Make sure they are closed in cold months and screens are in place for summer.
Renters should check with landlords before making changes, though removable weatherstripping and draft stoppers are usually fine.
Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling are usually the biggest energy costs in a home.
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat if you have one, and set it to lower temperatures when you are asleep or away.
- Keep radiators, vents, and baseboard heaters clear of furniture and curtains.
- Change or clean furnace filters as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Schedule regular maintenance for heating systems through a qualified professional.
- Before summer, clean or replace air conditioner filters and make sure window units are sealed well around the edges.
- Use ceiling or box fans to circulate air and reduce the need for air conditioning.
Lighting
Lighting improvements are some of the easiest savings:
- Replace older incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs, which use much less energy and last longer.
- Turn off lights when leaving a room.
- Use natural daylight when you can, now that days are longer.
- Consider timers or motion sensors for outdoor lighting.
Appliances and Electronics
Many devices use power even when turned off. This is sometimes called standby or “phantom” power.
- Plug electronics like TVs, game consoles, and chargers into power strips you can switch off.
- Unplug chargers when not in use.
- Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads.
- Wash clothes in cold water when possible.
- Clean the dryer lint filter every load, which also reduces fire risk.
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer at recommended temperatures and check door seals.
Hot Water
Heating water is another major energy use:
- Fix dripping hot water faucets.
- Install low-flow showerheads, which are often inexpensive and easy to swap.
- Take shorter showers.
- Ask a professional or your landlord about the water heater’s temperature setting.
Free and Low-Cost Help
Massachusetts utilities offer energy efficiency programs that may include no-cost home energy assessments, discounted equipment, and rebates for insulation, air sealing, and efficient appliances. Renters and homeowners may both be eligible for some services. Income-eligible households may qualify for additional help.
To learn more, contact your gas or electric utility or visit their official website. Mass 211 can also help connect households with energy assistance programs. Be cautious of anyone who knocks on your door claiming to represent a program and asks for payment or personal information on the spot. Verify through official channels first.
Helping Neighbors Save Energy
Energy costs can be especially hard on older adults, families with tight budgets, and people living in older buildings. Neighbors can help by:
- Sharing information about utility efficiency programs and assistance.
- Helping install weatherstripping or door sweeps for someone who cannot do it alone.
- Swapping a few LED bulbs into hard-to-reach fixtures, using a stable step stool and a helper.
- Organizing a group purchase of weatherstripping supplies to share.
- Helping someone schedule a home energy assessment and being present if they want company.
Spring Energy Checklist
- Walk through and note drafts and energy waste.
- Seal gaps with weatherstripping, door sweeps, and caulk.
- Service heating systems and prepare cooling equipment.
- Switch to LED bulbs.
- Cut standby power with switchable power strips.
- Look into utility efficiency programs and share them with neighbors.
Quick check: What is a simple way to find drafts around windows and doors?
- Turn the heat up as high as it goes
- Hold a thin strip of tissue near edges on a breezy day and watch for movement
- Close all the curtains and wait a week
Show answer
B. Movement in a tissue strip shows where air is leaking so you know where to seal.
