Spring is one of the best times of year to work on home efficiency. The weather is mild enough for weekend projects, contractors are often easier to schedule before the summer rush, and small fixes made now can pay off when hotter weather arrives. To help you decide where to start, each project below has a hard hat rating. One hard hat means the average homeowner can probably handle it. Two hard hats means it is a little tougher, but a confident DIYer can likely take it on. Three hard hats means it may be smarter to call in a pro, like REC’s Vividly Brighter Electrician Services.

1. Seal leaks around windows, doors and attic access
Hard hat rating: 1

Start with worn weatherstripping, gaps around window trim, cracks where pipes or wiring enter the house, and the attic door or hatch. Caulk and weatherstripping are simple fixes, but they can help keep cooled air inside and hot air outside.

2. Check the attic before summer heat builds up
Hard hat rating: 2

Look for thin, uneven or compressed insulation, especially around the attic hatch and along the edges of the attic space. A basic attic tuneup, including weatherstripping the access door and adding insulation where needed, can help the whole house stay cooler.

3. Get the cooling system ready now, not on the first hot day
Hard hat rating: 2

Replace dirty filters, clear debris from around the outdoor unit, and make sure vents are not blocked. It is also worth checking accessible ductwork for loose connections, damaged insulation or visible gaps that could waste energy.

4. Install a programmable or smart thermostat
Hard hat rating: 2

Spring is the perfect time to install a thermostat and test settings before hot weather settles in. A programmable or smart thermostat helps you cool the house more intentionally, rather than paying to cool an empty home.

This is also a good place to make use of the many tools REC offers. For example, My Usage in MyREC SmartHub can help you compare energy use over time, and members can enroll in REC’s Summer Savings Plan .

5. Swap out old bulbs for more efficient lighting
Hard hat rating: 1

This is one of the easiest wins on the list. If you still have older bulbs in high-use rooms, spring is a good time to switch to LEDs. Start with the fixtures you use most often and work from there.

6. Upgrade fixtures, ceiling fans and controls
Hard hat rating: 3

Installing new fixtures, adding dimmers, replacing switches or putting in ceiling fans can improve comfort and cut wasted energy, but many homeowners would rather hire reliable professionals for any wiring work.

For members who want help, REC’s Vividly Brighter Electrician Services can assist with common upgrades such as ceiling fans, lighting fixtures, switches and dimmers.

Spring projects do not have to be major to make a difference. A tighter sealed home, a tuned-up cooling system and a few smart upgrades can help you head into summer with more comfort and better control over energy use.

Before and after any project, My Usage in MyREC SmartHub can help you spot patterns and see how the changes you made are paying off. Members with bigger questions also can reach out to REC’s energy experts for guidance on what to tackle next.

For more practical energy-saving tips and home-upgrade help, visit:

• My Usage in MyREC SmartHub — to track your energy use and spot patterns.
• Save Energy & Money — for REC’s home-efficiency tips and guidance.
• Electrician Services — for help with fans, fixtures, switches and dimmers through Vividly Brighter.

About Rappahannock Electric Cooperative 

Serving nearly 185,000 connections across portions of 22 Virginia counties, REC is a pillar in its communities, with over 18,000 miles of power lines extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Information from a release. Posted by Dan McDermott.