Spring is a great time to save energy at home when most days are neither cold nor hot, so you don’t need to turn on either the heat or air conditioning.

Take advantage of the nice weather to use less energy now and prepare your home to be more efficient this summer. Some tips:

1. Open the windows—all of them—to create a cross-breeze all over the house. This keeps the home cool without air conditioning.
2. Call an HVAC service tech to inspect your air conditioning system. A springtime check will give you a chance to repair any problems before the weather gets hot and a poorly maintained system leaves you without cool indoor air.
3. Switch your ceiling fan blades so they rotate counterclockwise. This will create a downward breeze, which will keep anyone in the room comfortable.
4. Use a caulk gun to seal cracks and openings on the indoor side of exterior walls—like around cable and phone lines and electrical outlets.
5. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, now is a great time to install one. This device can save you 5% to 15% on heating and cooling bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, because it adjusts the temperature for times when the family is sleeping or away from the house.