Immediate Actions (Free)
1. Thermostat Setback
Lowering your thermostat 8°F for 8 hours per day (when sleeping or away) can save approximately 10% on heating costs, according to the DOE. In summer, setting AC to 78°F instead of 72°F can reduce cooling costs by 6–18%. A programmable thermostat makes this effortless.
2. Stop Heating/Cooling Empty Rooms
Close vents and doors in unused rooms. While this won't significantly affect central HVAC efficiency, reducing the volume of space you're conditioning helps. Zoned systems or mini-splits can take this further.
3. Use Cold Water for Laundry
About 90% of washing machine energy goes to heating water. Switching to cold water for most loads saves roughly $60/year and modern detergents work just as well in cold water.
4. Run Full Loads Only
A dishwasher or washing machine uses nearly the same energy whether it's half-full or completely full. Running only full loads can reduce energy use per load by 30–50%.
5. Take Shorter Showers
Each 4-minute reduction in shower time saves about 10 gallons of hot water — meaning less energy spent heating water. For a household of 4, this can save $80–$150/year.
Low-Cost Upgrades (Under $100)
6. Switch to LED Bulbs
LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25x longer. Replacing 15 incandescent bulbs with LEDs saves about $130/year in electricity and $70+/year in replacement bulbs. A 4-pack of good LED bulbs costs about $10.
7. Seal Air Leaks
Weatherstripping doors and windows ($20–$40) and caulking gaps around electrical outlets and pipes can reduce HVAC costs by 10–20%. Focus on the attic hatch, exterior doors, and around window frames where air leaks are largest.
8. Lower Water Heater Temperature
Most water heaters are set to 140°F at the factory. Lowering to 120°F saves 6–10% on water heating costs and reduces scalding risk. This 5-minute adjustment is free.
9. Clean Refrigerator Coils
Dusty condenser coils force the compressor to work harder. Vacuuming refrigerator coils twice a year improves efficiency by 10–25%. Coils are typically on the back or underneath — unplug the fridge first.
10. Add a Smart Power Strip
Smart power strips ($20–$40) eliminate standby power draw from entertainment systems. Plug your TV into the "master" outlet and everything else (cable box, streaming device, game console) into "slave" outlets — they automatically cut power when the TV turns off.
Moderate Investments (Under $500)
11. Install a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats (Nest, Ecobee) learn your schedule and preferences, automatically optimizing heating and cooling. Average savings: $130–$145/year, with payback typically under 2 years. Many utilities offer rebates of $25–$100.
12. Add Attic Insulation
If your attic has less than R-30 of insulation, adding more can reduce heating and cooling costs by 15–25%. Material costs are $0.50–$1.00/sq ft for blown-in insulation; a 1,500 sq ft attic costs $750–$1,500 in materials plus labor. Federal tax credits cover 30% of the cost (up to $1,200 per year).
13. Use Ceiling Fans Correctly
Ceiling fans in summer (counterclockwise) create a wind-chill effect, allowing you to raise the thermostat 4°F without reduced comfort — saving up to 10% on cooling. In winter, run fans clockwise on low speed to push warm air down from the ceiling. Fans cost 1–2¢/hour to run vs. $0.25–$0.50/hour for AC.
Utility Programs
14. Get a Free Energy Audit
Most utilities offer free in-home energy audits where a professional identifies efficiency opportunities specific to your home. Call your utility's customer service line and ask. Auditors often find HVAC inefficiencies, air leaks, and insulation gaps that you'd never spot yourself. Some audits come with free weatherization services included.
15. Check for Utility Rebate Programs
Utilities offer rebates for energy-efficient appliances, smart thermostats, HVAC upgrades, and LED bulbs. The ENERGY STAR rebate finder (energystar.gov/rebate-finder) shows available rebates by ZIP code. These programs can offset 10–50% of upgrade costs — always check before you buy.