How to Save Energy at Home
(and Keep More Cash in Your Pocket)

Hand adjusting a wall thermostat to save energy at home

You want your home warm and cozy in winter and cool and comfortable in the dog days of summer. What you don't want is an energy bill that makes you clutch your chest when you open it.

Good news: you don't have to choose between comfort and solvency. Learning how to save energy at home is mostly about small, painless habits, plus a few smart upgrades when the time is right. Here's how to cut your bills year-round without living in a parka.

The short version:

• Turn the thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees while you sleep or are out.

• Switch to LED bulbs.

• Set the water heater to 120°F.

• Unplug (or use a power strip for) electronics you're not using.

• Seal leaky ducts, windows and doors.

Save Energy With Smart Thermostat Settings

Heating and cooling are the biggest energy hogs in most homes, so this is where small changes pay off most.

Winter: Set the thermostat to about 68°F while you're awake and at home, and lower while you're asleep or away.

Summer: Set it to 78°F or higher when you're home, and higher still when you're out.

Turn it back: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling.

Let a gadget remember for you. A programmable or smart thermostat makes those adjustments automatically, so you don't have to remember at 11 p.m. (or come home to an icebox).

Mind the thermostat's neighbors. Keep it away from lamps, appliances and direct sun. If it senses extra heat, it'll run the air conditioner longer than necessary.

Use ceiling fans in summer. A fan makes a room feel several degrees cooler, so you can nudge the thermostat up without noticing. Turn it off when you leave the room; fans cool people, not rooms.

Use Your Curtains

In winter, open the drapes on sunny days to let in free heat, then close them at night to keep the warmth in. In summer, close curtains and blinds during the hottest part of the day to block the sun. It's the cheapest climate control there is.

Heating and Cooling Upgrades

Seal your ducts. Leaky ductwork can send heated or cooled air into the attic or crawl space instead of your living room. Look for dirt streaks near the seams; that's a sign of a leak. Seal them with foil tape or duct mastic (not regular cloth duct tape, which doesn't hold up), then wrap ducts in unheated spaces with insulation.

Watch out for asbestos. If old ductwork is already wrapped in insulation and your home was built before the 1980s, don't touch it until a professional tests it. If asbestos is present, leave it alone and have a licensed pro handle it.

Consider replacing an old system. If your furnace or air conditioner is more than 15 years old, a new ENERGY STAR model can cut your energy use significantly. Ask your utility about rebates and free or low-cost home energy audits before you shop.

Change the air filter. A clogged filter makes your system work harder. Check it monthly during heavy-use seasons, and replace it at least every three months.

Lighten Up: Switch to LED Bulbs

Hand holding an LED light bulb next to a table lamp

This is the easiest energy upgrade there is. LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than old incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer, according to the Department of Energy. Start with the lights you use most, like the kitchen, living room and porch light.

A few more bright ideas:

Turn off lights when you leave a room. Yes, your mother was right.

Go lighter with your decor. Pale walls, curtains, rugs and upholstery reflect light, so you need fewer lamps to brighten a room.

Use LED or solar lights outdoors. Add motion sensors or timers to porch and security lights so they're only on when you need them, and try solar path lights for the garden.

Turn Down the Water Heater

Many water heaters come set at 140°F, but most households only need 120°F. At 140°F, the Department of Energy says a water heater can waste $36 to $61 a year just keeping that extra-hot water hot.

Turning it down saves energy, slows mineral buildup and lowers the risk of scalding. (Check your dishwasher manual first; some models without a built-in booster heater need hotter water.)

Stop Paying for Phantom Power

TVs, game consoles, chargers, coffee makers and computers draw power even when they're "off," and that standby power can account for up to 10% of your electricity use.

Plug them into a power strip and flip it off when you're done, or use a smart power strip that does it for you.

Cooking Up Energy Savings

Use smaller appliances. The microwave, slow cooker, pressure cooker, toaster oven and air fryer all use less energy than heating up the whole oven.

Choose the stovetop over the oven when you can.

No peeking! Every time you open the oven door, heat escapes and the oven works harder to recover.

Put a lid on it. Water boils faster with the lid on, and match the pot to the burner size so you're not heating air.

Turn off electric burners early. Coil and smooth-top burners stay hot for several minutes, enough to finish cooking without using more electricity. (This trick doesn't work with gas or induction.)

Keep burners and drip pans clean so they reflect heat efficiently.

Laundry and Appliance Savings

Wash in cold water. Most of the energy a washer uses goes to heating water, and today's detergents work just fine in cold.

Run full loads in the washer and dishwasher.

Clean the dryer lint filter after every load. It saves energy and prevents fires.

Vacuum the refrigerator coils once or twice a year so your fridge doesn't have to work so hard.

Energy-Saving FAQs

What temperature should I set my thermostat to save money? About 68°F in winter when you're home and awake, and 78°F in summer, with bigger setbacks while you sleep or are away.

Does turning the thermostat down at night really save energy? Yes. The Department of Energy says setting it back 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling.

What uses the most electricity in a home? Heating and cooling usually top the list, followed by water heating, appliances and lighting.

Do LED bulbs really save money? Yes. They use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last far longer, so you buy fewer bulbs, too.

Put Energy Upkeep on the Calendar

Changing filters and vacuuming fridge coils are easy to forget until the bill arrives. My book The Daily Home Reset includes a month-by-month schedule for deep cleaning and home upkeep, so the little jobs that save you money actually get done.