Discover simple techniques to make, and keep, your home as energy efficient as possible.
Lighting
Perhaps one of the best places to get started with your efficiency efforts. These changes are as simple as using a different type of bulb.
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- Switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can save you around 50% on lighting expenses. CFLs use 1/4th the energy of traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
- Use outdoor lights with a motion sensor or photocell unit so they will turn on only at night or when someone is present. A combined motion sensor and photocell unit will increase your savings even more.
- Take advantage of natural daylight by using light colored, loose-weave curtains on your windows to allow sunlight penetration. Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight
- Three-way lamps and dinner switches make it easier to keep lighting levels low when brighter light isn't necessary.
- Turn your lights off when they're not being used. Standard, incandescent bulbs should be switched off whenever they're not being used while Fluorescent lights should be turned off whenever you'll be away for 15 minutes or longer.
Appliances and Electronics
Appliances and other electronics represent an average of 20% of most energy bills.
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- Choose ENERGY STAR® qualified home appliances. All ENERGY STAR products come with an EnergyGuide label, which estimates the appliance's energy consumption.
- While not in use, unplug as many household electronics as you can. Most devices draw power even when shut off or in stand-by mode - an occurrence known as "phantom load."
- Plugging home theater peripherals such as DVD players and TVs into power strips create an easy way to cut power to multiple electronics at once.
- Turn off your computer monitor, or go into sleep mode if you plan on being away for 20 minutes or more. If you're going to be gone for more than 2 hours, it's best to shut down completely. Screen savers do not reduce energy use.
- Avoid over-drying your clothes to save energy and reduce wear and tear on your clothing. Use your drier's moisture sensor if it has one.
- Air dry your dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
Heating and Cooling
Accounting for over 50% of energy use, heating and cooling is the largest energy expense for most homes.
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- Windows must be installed correctly to prevent air leaks around the frame. Look for installers that are qualified and reputable.
- Insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basements walls, floors, and crawlspaces can save you up to 30 percent on home energy bills.
- Close fireplace dampers when not in use. A chimney is designed for smoke to escape, so unless it's closed, warm air will escape.
- Plugging air leaks with caulk, sealing or weather stripping can save 10% or more on your energy bill.
- Apply sun-control or other reflective films on south-facing windows to reduce solar gain.
Water Heating
Strategies to reduce the amount of money you spend on home water heating.
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- Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
- Take short showers instead of baths.
- Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees. Most households only require this temperature, or even 115 degrees.
- Insulate the first 6 feet of the cold and hot water pipes connected to your water heater.
- Drain a quart of water from your heater every 3 months to remove sediments that impede heating efficiency. Procedures vary among water heaters, so follow the advice of the manufacturer.
Insulation and Air Sealing
Avoiding air leaks and improper insulation go a long way in efficiently keeping your home a comfortable temperature.
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- Lower your thermostat when nobody is home or even at night while everyone is tucked into bed. A difference of just 7% can cut your heating bill by as much as 10%.
- Clean your furnace filters once a month, or as needed.
- Have your furnace or heat pump receive professional maintenance each year and look for the ENERGY STAR® label when replacing your system.
- Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between your exterior walls and radiators.
- Run kitchen, bathroom and other ventilating fans for no longer than 20 minutes to retain heated air.
- Use fans in the summer to create a wind chill effect and spread cooled air through your home.
- If you're using air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise your thermostat by 4 degrees with no reduction in comfort.
- When purchasing an air conditioner, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER.
- Avoid placing lamps and TVs near your air conditioning thermostat. It can sense the heat they put off which can cause your a/c to run longer than necessary.
- Keep curtains or blinds closed during the day to prevent solar gain.
Landscaping
A well-designed landscape can lower your heating and cooling costs.
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- Plant trees to shade your home and reduce cooling costs.
- Place your room air conditioner on the North side of the house and/or plant trees or shrubs to shade your unit. A shaded a/c unit uses as much as 10% less electricity than one operating in the sun.
- If you plant shrubs, bushes or vines next to your house, you will create dead air spaces that insulate your home. Allow one foot of space between full-grown plants and your home's wall.
- During winter, dense, low-lying trees and shrubbery on the North and Northwest sides of your home will protect against wind chill.
- Tips from Department of Energy
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