Energy efficiency doesn’t just save money—it improves the comfort of your home and reduces your environmental impact. Whether you’re looking for quick fixes or planning long-term upgrades, this page provides practical advice and resources to help you make informed decisions. Explore tips for every season, room, and system in your home.
Seasonal Energy Saving Tips
Outdoor maintenance: Clean vents, gutters, and HVAC units to improve airflow and efficiency.
Use natural ventilation: On cool evenings, open windows to let fresh air circulate instead of using the AC.
Optimize your thermostat settings: Increase the thermostat temperature when you’re away to reduce cooling costs.
Install window films: Apply reflective window films to reduce heat gain and block harmful UV rays without compromising natural light.
Ventilate your attic: Install or clean attic vents to allow hot air to escape and improve overall cooling efficiency.
Maintain clean condenser coils: Hose off your air conditioner’s outdoor condenser coils to remove dirt and debris that could reduce efficiency.
Set your water heater to vacation mode: If you’re leaving for summer vacations, use the energy-saving mode or lower the water heater’s temperature to minimize energy use.
Plant shade trees strategically: Place trees on the south and west sides of your home to block direct sunlight and reduce cooling needs.
Install awnings or shade sails: Use these to block sunlight over windows, patios, or outdoor AC units, reducing heat absorption.
Inspect insulation: Ensure your attic and walls have proper insulation to prevent heat from seeping into your home.
Choose light-colored window treatments: Opt for light-colored shades, blinds, or curtains that reflect heat better than dark ones.
Insulate your water heater: Use a water heater blanket to reduce heat loss and save on energy costs.
Reverse ceiling fans: Set fans to spin clockwise at a low speed to circulate warm air trapped near the ceiling.
Close unused rooms: Close vents and doors in rooms that are rarely used to focus heat on the areas you occupy most.
Seal air leaks: Use weather-stripping around windows and doors, and caulk gaps to prevent cold drafts from entering your home.
Add area rugs: Place rugs on hardwood or tile floors to help retain heat and provide extra insulation.
Check and replace filters: Regularly clean or replace HVAC filters to ensure your heating system runs efficiently.
Use programmable smart thermostats: Set your thermostat to automatically lower the temperature when you’re asleep or away to save on heating costs.
Add attic insulation: Insulate your attic floor to trap heat inside living areas and prevent it from escaping through the roof.
Cover windows with plastic film: Apply transparent window film to create an insulating barrier that reduces heat loss.
Let the sun in: Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to allow natural sunlight to warm your home, and close them at night to retain heat.
Service your heating system: Have a professional inspect and tune up your furnace or boiler before the cold season to ensure it’s operating efficiently.
Bundle up: Wear layers indoors and use cozy blankets to stay warm without increasing the thermostat.
Use draft stoppers: Place draft stoppers or rolled towels at the base of doors to keep cold air out.
Room-by-Room Energy Tips
Use area rugs: Place rugs on hardwood or tile floors to help insulate and retain heat.
Install window treatments: Use shades or curtains that can be drawn at night to prevent heat loss and opened during the day to let in sunlight.
Turn off lights and electronics: Switch off unused lights and devices, and consider using energy-efficient LED bulbs, which consume less energy and last longer.
Use smaller appliances: Opt for a microwave or toaster oven to prepare smaller meals, avoiding the energy consumption of heating a full-sized oven.
Match pot size to burner size: Use pots that match the size of your stovetop burners to ensure efficient energy use while cooking.
Cover pots while cooking: Keep pots covered to retain heat and reduce cooking time.
Maintain refrigerator efficiency: Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible and ensure the seals are tight to prevent warm air from entering.
Use thermal curtains or blackout blinds: Install these to help insulate your room, preventing heat loss in winter and blocking heat gain in summer.
Adjust ceiling fans seasonally: Set fans to spin clockwise in winter to push warm air down and circulate it, and switch to counterclockwise in summer to create a cooling breeze.
Sleep with warm bedding: Opt for cozy bedding to stay warm at night instead of increasing the thermostat during colder months.
Unplug chargers and devices: Disconnect chargers and unused devices to avoid phantom energy loss.
Take shorter showers: Reduce hot water usage to lower heating costs.
Install a low-flow showerhead: Save water and energy by switching to a showerhead that uses less water without sacrificing pressure.
Seal windows and doors: Prevent drafts during colder weather by sealing gaps around windows and doors.
Turn off bathroom fans: Switch off fans once moisture is cleared to avoid wasting energy.
Use task lighting: Opt for task lighting instead of overhead lights to reduce energy consumption.
Unplug electronics: Disconnect computers, printers, and other devices when not in use, or use a power strip for easy shutoff.
Insulate your workspace: Ensure your workspace is well-insulated to prevent cold drafts or heat loss, especially if it’s located in a basement.
Use space heaters wisely: Heat only the area you’re using with a space heater rather than increasing the central heating.
Wash clothes in cold water: Save on heating costs by using cold water for laundry.
Clean the lint filter: Regularly clean the dryer’s lint filter to maintain efficiency and reduce energy use.
Air-dry clothes: Whenever possible, air-dry your clothes, or use the dryer’s moisture sensor setting to avoid over-drying.
Load appliances efficiently: Run your washer and dryer with full loads to minimize energy usage per load.
Seal garage doors: Prevent drafts and heat loss by sealing your garage doors during colder months.
Use energy-efficient lighting: Switch to LED bulbs, which consume less energy and last longer.
Keep the garage door closed: Maintain the temperature inside by keeping the garage door closed to prevent drafts.
Insulate garage walls and ceiling: Insulate the walls and ceiling of an attached garage to reduce energy loss.
Lighting Efficiency
Efficient lighting not only saves energy but also lasts longer, reducing maintenance.
LED retrofits: Replace older light fixtures with LED-compatible versions to maximize savings.
Solar-powered outdoor lights: Illuminate pathways or gardens at night with solar-powered lights to avoid adding to your energy bill.
Natural lighting: Rearrange furniture to make the most of natural daylight and reduce reliance on artificial lighting.
