Spring cleaning checklist for your home: 5 budget-boosting tasks

For many homeowners, it’s the tasks that they can’t see that make a bit difference throughout the year. But a seasonal sweep and inspection of gutters and downspouts can certainly lead to money savings down the road. Keeping an eye on your gutters ensures you’re aware of any leaking or loosening issues right away that could lead to expensive and avoidable repairs—or replacements—to your roof and/or exterior.

The National Center for Healthy Homes recommends homeowners clean their gutters and downspouts every spring and fall as part of optimal yard and exterior maintenance.

Transitioning from traditional incandescent lightbulbs to energy-efficient lightbulbs not only benefits the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but it can help you save big on your energy bill over time.

Energy-efficient lightbulbs that come with an ENERGY STAR certification mean that the product has met guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Not surprisingly, these bulbs last longer than traditional ones—and according to the EPA, they use up to 90% less energy and can save you about $50 in electricity costs over one bulb’s lifetime.

Whether you have external AC units in your home or a central HVAC system, vents on both systems can accumulate dust, pollen, pet dander and other airborne particles you don’t want hanging around in your air. Remove vent covers, wash them with warm soapy water and allow them to air dry. After that, install a new filter in your HVAC system. A fresh filter helps air flow through and can lower your AC consumption by 5-15%, which means you save money on your electric bill.