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.

Laundry can be a bigger winter energy user than people expect, but small adjustments save money without sacrificing cleanliness. Some rules of thumb: · Modern detergents work well in cold water, and many loads come out just as clean. · Wash full loads and select the right water level. For lightly soiled items, choose a quick or eco cycle. · Use high-spin settings to remove more water and shorten drying time. Dryer balls help separate clothing so warm air circulates better. · Clean the lint trap every cycle and check the vent hose for buildup. A clogged vent extends dryer run time and raises fire risk. · Time laundry for mid-day when the home may already be warmer or when off-peak electricity rates apply.

An electrical outlet that’s slightly warm to the touch is not uncommon during heavy use, but it can also be a sign of danger. · Start by unplugging any devices that are using it, and then feel the outlet again. If the warmth disappears, the problem may be the appliance or a loose plug. Test the device on another outlet. · If the outlet remains warm with nothing plugged in, do not use it. That suggests loose wiring, a failing receptacle or an overloaded circuit. Call an electrician to diagnose the trouble. · Never use extension cords or ungrounded adapters as a long-term fix. Limit high-draw appliances to dedicated circuits and never run space heaters from a power strip. · If you see discoloration, smell burning or notice sparks, shut off power to the circuit and call a licensed electrician.

Even if you had a tech come to your home for a pre-season heating check, you should keep on top of simple HVAC maintenance to up your chances of making it through the winter without any emergency repairs. Cold snaps in February put heavy demand on heating systems, and small issues can quickly become big emergencies. Following a brief maintenance checklist can save money and prevent expensive, late-night calls.  · Begin with filters. Replace disposable filters or clean reusable ones. A clean filter reduces strain and improves airflow. · Check vents and registers to make sure furniture or curtains aren’t blocking airflow. Restricted airflow makes the system run longer and increases wear. · Inspect visible ductwork where you can access it. Seal loose connections with foil HVAC tape or mastic. Leaky ducts waste heated air and force the furnace to run more to maintain temperature. · Clear any snow or ice from outdoor heat-pump units and keep a three-foot clearance around them. Unusual noises or persistent burning smells are early signs of trouble. Call a licensed HVAC technician before a minor issue becomes a failure.

This Valentine’s season, show your appliances a little love and they’ll return the favor in lower bills and fewer surprises. Start with the refrigerator: Vacuum the coils every six months, check door gaskets for tight seals, set the fridge at 37 to 40 degrees, and then lower the freezer to 0 degrees. This will help the appliance run more efficiently and use less power. Next, turn your attention to your clothes dryer. Clean the lint trap after every load and inspect the vent and duct for buildup; restricted airflow makes dryers run longer and raises fire risk. Consider having a technician clean the exhaust duct annually. Don’t forget the water heater. Lowering the thermostat to 120 degrees and flushing a few gallons annually to remove sediment improves efficiency and extends life. Your heating system has been keeping you warm all winter; give it some TLC by replacing HVAC filters regularly. A clogged filter forces the system to work harder. Finally, make some small fixes; they add up. Tighten loose electrical connections, replace cracked power cords and run a quick check for unusual noises or smells. These are easy tasks that prevent breakdowns and save energy. They can also keep your home safe and comfortable. Think of it as home self-care that pays dividends.

Winter air is dry, and dry air affects how warm a home feels. Low indoor humidity makes people feel colder, even when the thermostat setting is the same as it always has been. When you feel cold, you’ll crank up the heat. And that can lead to higher energy bills. Suggestion: Adding a modest amount of humidity to the air. This can make rooms feel warmer without raising the thermostat. Use a single-room humidifier for sleeping areas or a whole-house humidifier attached to your HVAC if you already have one. Aim for relative humidity between 30 and 40 percent in winter to avoid condensation on windows and minimize mold risk. Adjusting the humidity won’t stop heat loss on its own, though. As you deal with the humidity, seal windows and doors that can let warm air escape from the house. Add insulation to your attic. Caulk gaps around windows and doors, weatherstrip drafty attic-hatch covers and insulate exposed pipes and attic access points. These measures reduce the load on humidifiers and heaters. And simple habits help: Close shades at night to reduce radiant heat loss, keep interior doors open to let warm air circulate and use ceiling fans on low after reversing the direction the blades spin. They should push warm air down.