Ever thought about how much money you are potentially wasting outside of your home with inefficient sprinkler systems or outdoor lighting?

We have, too, and these tips can help you turn spring cleaning into spring savings.

• Install LEDs in patio fixtures or decorative light strands.

Simply replaced light fixtures with more efficient options will show savings. LEDs last up to 25 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.

• Consider installing motion sensors on outdoor lighting.

Make motion sensors, photo sensors and timers do the work for you. All three of these tools are useful for outdoor security and utility lighting, providing lighting when you need it in the most efficient manner possible.

• Service your air conditioner.

Easy maintenance such as routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent. Spring is a good time to check your air conditioner’s evaporator coil, which should be cleaned annually to ensure the system is performing at optimal levels.

• Mind the pool pump. 

Set the pool pump to run early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid peak electricity demand hours.

• Water the lawn in the early morning or later in the evening.
  Avoid watering at mid-day to prevent high evaporation and sun-burned grass. This will save you about 12 gallons each time you water.
• Update worn nozzles and sprinkler heads in your sprinkler system.

Walk through your sprinkler system to make sure outdated materials are not wasting water and money. A few things to look at replacing: worn and leaking wheel line levelers, plugged or worn out low-pressure pivot regulators and sprinkler heads, gaskets and riser caps.

• Double-check the reach of your sprinkler system.

Ensure that your sprinkler system is pointed in the right direction so water is not wasted on gutters or driveways.

• Add some mulch around your trees and plants.

Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation and keep the soil cool.

• Don’t cut your grass too low.
  

  
  Keep your mower blades sharp to prevent tearing of grass and raise your lawnmower’s blade to 2 ½ inches. Longer grass provides shade for the roots and helps reduce water loss.
• Keep efficiency in mind when planning your garden.
  Be aware of the various shade and moistures zones in your yard and plan your gardens and plantings accordingly.
• Update your landscaping.

Smartly placed landscape outside can help with savings on the inside. When mapping out your landscaping, consider adding trees to block solar heat during the warm months. Trees are available in multiple sizes, densities and shapes for almost any shade application.

Deciduous trees with high, spreading leaves and branches can be planted to the south of your home to provide maximum roof shading.

• Make the sunlight work to your windows’ advantage.

Use your windows to gain cool air and keep heat out.

Ventilated awnings on the outside or window curtains on the inside can prevent heat from entering windows exposed to direct sunlight.