SWPPD Blog
As vacation season gets started, it’s easy to overlook the small appliances at home that keep using electricity while you’re away. A quick pre-vacation checklist can give them a vacation, too—and prevent them from wasting energy while nobody’s home. So, before you load up the car or head to the airport, start unplugging. First, the kitchen. Ice makers, second refrigerators and extra freezers can quietly run nonstop. If they’re empty or nearly empty, consider turning them off. Adjust your main refrigerator to a slightly higher temperature but keep it within safe food storage limits. Around the house, unplug electronics like televisions, gaming systems, computers and coffee makers. Better yet, connect them to a surge-protecting power strip so you can unplug them all at once. Many devices draw power even when not in use if they’re turned off but still plugged in. Water-related appliances are another common miss. Turn off or lower settings on electric water heaters if recommended by the manufacturer. Finally, adjust your thermostat. There’s no need to keep your home as cool as when you’re there, but don’t turn the system off entirely. A moderate setting helps manage humidity.
The days are getting longer, and that means you don’t need your home’s outdoor lights to automatically turn on quite as early. Take a few minutes this weekend to reset outdoor motion sensors and timers to avoid wasting electricity when natural daylight is available. Walk around your property and adjust timers to match sunrise and sunset schedules. Photocell sensors should trigger lights only when it’s actually dark. Motion-activated floodlights should be properly aimed to illuminate paths without lighting empty spaces. While you’re at it, replace any old bulbs with LED alternatives, which can reduce energy use. Consider smart lighting controls that allow scheduling from your phone or tablet.
The month or two between cold and warm weather gives you the perfect opportunity to save energy. Milder temperatures mean heating season is winding down, but it’s not warm enough for air conditioning. Some call this a “shoulder season.” Take advantage of the moderate weather by keeping both the heat and the air conditioning turned off. Instead, open windows to draw in fresh air and turn on ceiling fans. Inspect and seal air leaks and clean AC filters. Open blinds, curtains and shades during daylight hours to reduce the need for electric lighting. The shoulder season is brief, so forming smart habits now can keep energy bills lower while the outdoor weather keeps your home naturally comfortable.
April is a great time to plant a tree. Arbor Day is April 24 this year, and people all over the world will plant trees in their yards and communities. The day is a reminder that spring is the season to think long term about your home’s energy use. Planting trees, shrubs or climbing vines now can provide natural cooling in the summer and save energy on air conditioning. Deciduous trees—the ones that shed their leaves in the fall—are particularly effective for energy efficiency because their lush leaves shade your home and yard in the summer and then allow sunlight to shine through your windows in the winter after their leaves fall. Position trees on the south and west sides of your house to block harsh afternoon sun. Fast-growing trees, like maples or lindens, offer benefits within a few years, while slower-growing species add long-term value and curb appeal. Shrubs and vines can shade walls and windows while enhancing landscaping. A trellis with vines near sunny windows can reduce heat gain, lowering cooling costs. Beyond energy savings, planting trees improves air quality, supports wildlife and adds value to your property. When selecting plants, consider native species that require minimal water and maintenance. By planting shade this spring, you’ll enjoy cooler indoor temperatures, and you could lower your heating and cooling bills.
Spring rain is good for flowers. It is not good for extension cords. Water and electricity, as you know, are a risky mix. April is a smart time to check your outdoor setup before yard work and storm season begin. • Start with your cords. If a cord is cracked, frayed or warm when in use, replace it. Do not tape it. Do not run it through puddles. Keep connections off the ground and out of wet grass. • Plug outdoor tools only into outlets protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI. These are designed to shut off power fast if something goes wrong. Test them each month. Push the “test” button. Then reset. • Using power tools in a damp garage or driveway? Dry your hands. Wear shoes. Keep cords away from metal and standing water. • Never pull a plug by the cord. Grab the plug itself. Yanking the cord can loosen wires and create a shock hazard later. • Store cords indoors when you’re finished using them outdoors. Sun and rain break them down over time. • If you use a generator during storms, keep it outside and far from doors or windows. Never plug it directly into a wall outlet. Small steps matter. A quick check now can prevent injuries later.
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Lightning, high winds and torrential downpours can put your home and neighborhood at risk of power surges and outages. And those can damage your expensive household electronics. So, prepare for spring storms to protect yourself and your electronics from harm. · First, install surge protectors as a first line of defense. Use them for computers, televisions, exercise equipment and other sensitive devices. Look for protectors with indicator lights that show when protection is active. · During severe storms, unplug electronics and turn them off—excluding things like the refrigerator and medical oxygen tanks. Even the best surge protectors cannot block a direct lightning strike. · If your home experiences frequent outages, consider installing whole-house surge protection, which is installed at the electrical panel. An electrician can explain whether this option makes sense. · Backup power options, such as battery packs or portable generators, can help keep essential devices running in case the power goes out. Portable generators should only be used outdoors and far from windows and doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. · After an outage, wait a few minutes before turning electronics back on. This helps protect devices from voltage spikes as power is restored.
As you get to the business of spring cleaning, inspect your tools—vacuum cleaners, pressure washers, carpet cleaners and power tools—to make sure they are in shape for another season. · Before starting any project, inspect cords and plugs for cracks, fraying or exposed wires. Damaged equipment should be repaired or replaced. Using tools with ground-fault circuit interrupter protection is especially important in garages, basements and outdoors. · Follow manufacturer instructions and avoid overloading outlets or power strips. High-powered tools should be plugged directly into a wall outlet, not extension cords, unless the cord is rated for the tool’s electrical load. · When cleaning or repairing appliances, unplug them first. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, so keep tools dry and avoid using them with wet hands or on damp surfaces. · For outdoor projects, use extension cords labeled for outdoor use and keep connections off the ground. Wear appropriate protective gear, including gloves and eye protection, and keep tools away from children and pets. Taking a few extra minutes to check equipment and follow basic precautions can prevent injuries and electrical hazards while tackling spring projects.
Spring is a good time to give your home’s electrical system a basic safety check before heavier summer use begins. Start by testing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms and replacing batteries if needed. Check outlets and switches for warmth, buzzing sounds or discoloration, which can indicate wiring problems. Inspect power strips and extension cords and replace any that are damaged or overloaded. Power strips should never be daisy-chained together. Make sure cords are not pinched under furniture or stretched across walkways where they can be damaged. In kitchens and bathrooms, confirm that outlets near sinks are protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters. These outlets help prevent shocks and should be tested monthly. Spring is also a good time to clear clutter away from electrical panels and make sure breakers are clearly labeled. Never block access to the panel. If you notice flickering lights, frequently tripped breakers or burning smells, contact a qualified electrician. Addressing small issues early can prevent fires and costly repairs later.
The arrival of spring can mean a spike in your electricity use, as you turn on fans, spend weekends doing spring cleaning and dust off outdoor power tools to get your home and yard ready for warm weather. Before temperatures start to rise, you can take some small steps to prep your home and appliances for spring and summer. 1. Schedule a home energy audit. Audits can identify air leaks, insulation gaps and inefficient appliances that quietly drive-up costs. Look for programs offered by your electric cooperative or local government that might reimburse you for energy-efficiency upgrades like smart thermostats, heat pump water heaters and ENERGY STAR-certified appliances. 2. Review your family’s thermostat habits. As outdoor temperatures rise, resist the temptation to turn on the air conditioning sooner than needed. Instead, use ceiling fans to avoid high cooling costs without sacrificing comfort. Fans cool people, not rooms, so turning them off when leaving a room saves energy. 3. Replace dirty air conditioning filters. Clear debris from outdoor units. And schedule professional maintenance to improve efficiency and extend the life of the system. 4. Read your energy bills carefully. Understanding how rates work, including time-of-use or seasonal pricing, can help households adjust use to avoid peak charges. Ask about budget billing or for alerts when your electricity use spikes. Taking advantage of co-op programs and forming smart habits now can make a noticeable difference when summer temperatures arrive.
