A changing season offers new opportunities to use less energy and lower costs.

The first day of spring, for instance, can serve as an annual reminder to check the evaporator coil on your air-conditioning unit, since its cleanliness ensures optimum performance and the lowest utility costs per month. Routine maintenance like replacing air filters can lower your average energy consumption by as much as 15%. Here’s a checklist of other things that can help you go green and save some green, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy:

WINDOWS

Open your windows as the mild temperatures of spring arrive, allowing for a cross breeze which will naturally cool rooms without using an air conditioner.

Consider updating your home’s window treatments. Energy-efficient covers like shades, blinds or film can drastically impact heat gain as temperatures rise in the afternoon. You’ll give the home a fresh new look while reducing energy costs.

Use these new window treatments to bring in more sunlight during daylight hours, then turn off artificial lights. Skylights can also significantly brighten a home — at no charge.

FANS AND VENTS

Experts say you can comfortably raise thermostats by as much as four degrees simply by installing and cooling your home with ceiling fans. You’ll be lowering costs without sacrificing anything in terms of comfort. Engage the venting systems while cooking and after bathing to remove warm, often humid air that can lead to longer operational cycles for your cooling unit.

LEAKS

Many homes lose pricey air conditioning through leaks around windows and doors. Buy weatherstripping or apply low-cost caulk to seal any openings. These cracks make a surprising contribution to high utility costs. For instance, air loss through your air-conditioning unit’s duct system may account for nearly 30% of its energy consumption.

Check for leaks, then seal and insulate them to lower your electricity bills this spring.

OTHER TIPS

Consider installing a programmable thermostat so that you can raise the settings when you’re not home or during off-peak hours, an option that may help reduce energy costs by as much as 10%. Consider using an outdoor grill on nice spring days, rather than heating up your home while using an indoor oven.