Let's face it: We're all happy to see winter take a hike. After the record cold weather that we saw in the KC area in February, everyone is looking forward to the arrival of spring later this month, and many homeowners are planning to get their spring cleaning on as the weather warms up.

On that note, we wanted to share a few of our favorite spring-cleaning tips that can help you save money in various ways, especially when the heat of summer arrives and we all fire up our air conditioners once again.

Change your furnace filter. Yep, it's that time again. While you may get tired of us reminding you, it always bears repeating: Your heating and cooling system relies on a clean filter in order to run efficiently. You'll want to replace your filter every couple of months or even more often, especially if you suffer from seasonal allergies. When you have a dirty filter, your HVAC system does a worse job keeping you comfortable, and your energy bills are much higher than they should be. Changing your filters every month or so seems like a pretty small price to pay to avoid all that.

Clear away debris from the outside of your home. If you want lower energy bills this summer (and want to spruce up the curb appeal of your place while you're at it) you might want to clear out any plants or other debris that may be growing near your air conditioner or heat pump. Your air conditioner relies on unobstructed airflow to work properly, and anything that crowds too close around it can restrict that flow, drive up your utility bills, and make your system work harder, which is bad for the motor.

Clean your windows and doors. The last thing you want to do is crank up the heat on a cool spring day. You can maximize the warmth that your home gets from natural sunlight by keeping your windows and any glass-front doors clean and by opening blinds and curtains to catch the sunlight.

Dust everything. It's probably a part of your regular spring-cleaning checklist anyway, but dusting the whole house can also save you a bundle on decongestants and antihistamines this spring if you suffer from seasonal allergies. What's more, while you're dusting those high shelves, don't forget to clean all your vent registers and make sure they're unobstructed by furniture, rugs, or anything else that might block airflow.

Clean the carpets, rugs, curtains, and drapes. There's no point in dusting everything if all that dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens just settles into the carpet, the drapes, or whatever else it can cling to inside the house, ready to puff back into the air as soon as you make a move. Cleaning everything from floor coverings to window treatments will help disperse all that sneeze-inducing particulate matter and make your spring a lot more enjoyable—and affordable.

Switch the direction on your ceiling fans. Your ceiling fans have two settings for a reason. In the winter, ceiling fans spin clockwise to disperse warm air that rises and keep the temperature constant throughout the room. As the weather warms up, you'll want your fans to be spinning counterclockwise, so that they push air downward and create that refreshing breeze you're looking for. Spring cleaning is the perfect reminder to make the switch.

Vacuum refrigerator coils. Out of sight is often out of mind, but you shouldn't overlook the coils on your refrigerator, which can get gunked up with dust, hair, and other debris. Running the vacuum over them helps your fridge work more efficiently, prevents the motor from using as much energy, and might even help to stave off costly breakdowns.

Clean the basement. Is there a lot of clutter down there? All the more reason to give your basement a thorough cleaning this spring. Make sure that nothing you're storing in the basement blocks air intakes, and keep everything free of dust and other particles that can get into the air. And, of course, make sure that there's room around your furnace and any other big appliances down there.

Clean and service your vacuum cleaner. With all this spring cleaning going on, chances are your vacuum is getting quite a workout. It only makes sense to show it a little love and give it the service that it needs to not only survive the spring cleaning spree, but work well all year long. Read your owner's manual or look up your model on YouTube for tips on how to clean it and what regular service it might need.

Schedule your bi-annual HVAC system tune-up. Twice a year, your heating and cooling system should have a tune-up from a professional. Think of it like your yearly physical at the doctor's office. This will not only help you to avoid unexpected problems with your HVAC system, but it can also increase the efficiency of your unit and help save you money on utility bills. In fact, air conditioners can lose as much as 22% of their efficiency each year, especially if they are poorly maintained.

Fortunately, Davenport Service Company in Olathe offers a Spring Air Conditioning 25-Point Check and Clean performed by one of our highly trained and certified technicians that will help keep your A/C in tip-top shape as we head into the hot Kansas City summer! Ask us about it today or sign up for our VIP Program to keep your heating and cooling system in working order throughout the year, with minimal effort on your part. To learn more or schedule your system's bi-annual tune-up, call Davenport Service Company at 913-441-2222 today!