Don’t worry, we did the homework for you!We have compiled a list of over 100 ways that you can lower your energy bill and save money. Many of these tips cost little or nothing at all. Take a look to see which ones you can take advantage of now to start saving.
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LIGHTING
1. Turn off the lights when you leave a room or when lights are not in use.
2. Use timers in your home to turn lights off and on automatically.
3. Replace incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs.
These last longer and use as little as 1/4 the energy of regular light bulbs.
4. Take advantage of natural light whenever possible. Keep windows clean and unobstructed.
5. Use desk lamps over desks, tables and workbenches rather than lighting whole rooms.
6. Place lamps in corners of rooms so the light reflects off two walls. Use light paint colors on ceilings,
walls and floors to reflect more light.
7. If you do decide to use incandescent light bulbs, avoid the ones labeled “long life.” These are the least
efficient of all incandescent bulbs. Use higher wattage bulbs instead. Just be sure to keep within the
manufacturers’ recommended fixture wattages.
8. When turning off dimmers, make sure fixtures are switched completely off. In some cases the light
may appear to be off even though it is still using electricity.
9. Clean light bulbs and fixtures periodically to increase brightness.
10. Consider using dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs when possible.
11. Use compact fluorescent bulbs in outdoor fixtures. Be sure to check if they are compatible with
sensor controls and timers.
12. For holiday lighting, consider using Light Emitting Diode (LED) solutions. LED lights reduce electricity
use by more than 90 percent and can last up to 50,000 hours.
WASHER & DRYER
13. When purchasing a washer, choose a front loading ENERGY STAR model. These use less electricity
and water than other models.
14. Rinse clothes in cold water. The temperature of rinse water has no effect on cleaning.
15. Wash clothes in larger loads to use less electricity and water. Fill your washer and dryer to capacity
when possible.
16. Fold your laundry as soon as it’s done drying to limit the need for ironing.
17. Dry your clothes on a clothesline whenever possible.
18. Follow detergent instructions carefully. Adding too little or too much detergent can reduce the
effect of washing action and may require extra wash/rinse cycles.
19. Clean the lint filters in your dryer after each load.
20. Dry lightweight clothes together to shorten drying cycles.
21. Dry loads one after another to take advantage of the heat from your dryer.
22. Keep the outside vent of your dryer clean.
DISHWASHER
23. Look for ENERGY STAR models when buying dishwashers.
24. Scrape dishes instead of rinsing them in hot water.
25. Clean your dishwasher drains and filters often.
26. Be sure to fill up your dishwasher as much as possible and use the appropriate amount of detergent.
27. When washing dishes by hand, fill up the sink or use a large pot of hot water rather than washing or
rinsing dishes under running hot water.
28. Turn off the drying cycle on your dishwasher, open the door and let dishes air dry.
29. Use cold water instead of hot water when running your garbage disposal. If you use hot water, fat
can melt and then later clog your drainpipe when it cools.
OVEN & RANGE
30. Don’t line racks with aluminum foil. Foil blocks heat flow and makes the oven work harder to heat up
food.
31. If you have an electric stove, use a high setting to boil and then continue to cook on a low setting.
32. Always boil water in a covered pot. You’ll use less energy and the water will boil faster.
33. Bake multiple items at the same time.
34. Expand your cooking to single-dish meals that can be prepared in a slow cooker. These meals require
far less energy.
35. Pre-heat your oven only when necessary.
36. Limit the number of times you open the oven door when baking.
37. A small amount of water in a covered pan is most effective when cooking vegetables.
38. Using your oven to heat your kitchen is dangerous and can waste energy.
39. Shorten cooking time by allowing frozen meats to thaw completely before cooking.
40. When self-cleaning your oven, use this feature after baking to utilize the existing heat.
41. Use flat-bottomed cookware that fits appropriately on stove tops.
42. Instead of heating water in an open pan, use a tea kettle.
43. Try using a pressure cooker; it uses less energy and cuts cooking time.
SMALL APPLIANCES
44. Look for the ENERGY STAR logo when shopping for appliances such as dehumidifiers, ceiling fans,
compact fluorescent lamps, DVD player/recorders, cordless phones, or home stereo system equipment.
45. 15 percent of the average household electricity use comes from electronic products; many of these
products consume energy even when they are turned off. Disconnect these products when not in use.
46. Use a microwave to cook small amounts of food. Microwaves work faster and use less energy than
ovens.
47. Don’t leave your coffee pot on “simmer” to keep your coffee warm.
48. Iron fabrics that require a lower temperature first, then work up. Irons heat up faster than they cool down.
49. Keep kitchen appliances well maintained so they work efficiently and last longer.
50. Read labels carefully when buying small appliances to compare energy usage and cost.
51. Buy electric power tools with the lowest horsepower or amps most suitable for the required work.
52. Keep electric tools in top operating condition. Lubricate them properly and clean them after use.
53. If you own a waterbed, reduce heating cost by making your bed every day to keep it covered.
REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER
54. Choose an ENERGY STAR Qualified model when purchasing a new refrigerator.
55. Keep your refrigerator several inches from the wall so that air can circulate around the unit.
56. Avoid putting your refrigerator in direct sunlight or near anything that generates heat.
57. Check refrigerator door gaskets for cold air leaks.
58. Be sure that your refrigerator is level so that the door seals tightly.
59. Clean the coils located underneath or in the back of your unit every 3 months.
60. Keep liquids in the refrigerator covered. Moisture from uncovered liquids forces your
refrigerator’s “no-frost” unit to work harder.
61. Let hot food cool before putting it in the refrigerator.
62. Don’t stuff your fridge! Air should be able to circulate around items.
63. Don’t cover steel racks with aluminum foil or paper as this will reduce cold air flow.
64. Cut down the number of times you open the refrigerator door.
65. Keep your refrigerator between the recommended temperatures of 38° F to 40° F.
66. If you must use a second refrigerator for part of the year, unplug it for the rest of the year and leave
the door open.
67. If you’re going away for a long period of time, be sure to finish perishable foods, turn off your
refrigerator and leave the door open.
68. Remove frost when it is 1/4 inch thick. A heavy buildup decreases efficiency.
69. You may save as much as $100 in annual energy cost when you replace a refrigerator or freezer that
is more than 10 years old with an ENERGY STAR qualified model.
WATER
70. Save water costs by turning off water when you brush your teeth.
71. If you have an off-peak electric hot water heater, set your top thermostat a little lower than your
bottom thermostat.
72. Set your water heater to 120° F.
73. Locate a new hot water heater in a warm place rather than an unheated basement or garage.
74. Take showers instead of baths. A three minute shower uses about half the water of a bath.
75. If you are buying an electric hot water heater, make sure to check for the highest efficiency energy
rating available.
76. Wrap your hot water heater with an insulation blanket if possible.
77. Take warm (or even cold) showers whenever possible.
78. Turn off electric water heaters when you leave your home for a long period of time.
79. Don’t leave the tap water running too long when washing dishes.
80. Replace washers on dripping faucets. Leaky faucets can waste up to 2,500 gallons of hot water in a
single year.
81. Install low-flow shower heads to save water.
82. Insulate hot and cold water pipes attached to your water heater.
83. Make sure to keep water systems properly maintained and have them serviced once or twice a year.
84. Repair leaky faucets immediately. Faucets leaking hot water cause water heaters to work harder to
heat more water.
INSULATION
85. Cut down on the flow of cold air by installing wall outlets and switching plate gaskets on exterior
walls.
86. Caulk and weather-strip around windows and doors wherever necessary.
87. In case of storms, tightly tape heavy duty plastic sheets to the inside of window frames to reduce
drafts.
88. Double-pane windows cut the transfer of heat by up to 50 percent.
89. Single-pane windows should have wood or metal storm windows.
90. Check your home for thermal insulation. Try performing a home energy audit.
91. Air leaks can account for 15 to 30 percent of heating and cooling energy needs. Be sure to weather-
strip around all exterior doors and windows to limit air leaks.
92. Storm doors help save energy by reducing the amount of air that comes in when the door is open.
Storm doors also reduce the amount of heat transfer when the door is closed.
HEATING & COOLING
93. Keep your heating equipment clean and well maintained for higher efficiency.
94. Dust or vacuum radiator surfaces and vents often to cut down on heat loss.
95. Keep drapes or shades closed during summer months to keep out unwanted heat.
96. Make sure fireplaces have tight fitting dampers. A chimney can draw out up to 25 percent of the air
in your home.
97. Keep garage doors closed to prevent wind from getting into your home.
98. Keep vents and radiator valves closed in unused areas.
99. Direct sunlight on window air-conditioners makes units work harder. Try to place units in shady
places.
100. Open windows on days with moderate temperatures to keep your home cool without using energy.
101. On sunny winter days, open your window shades or drapes to get the full benefit of the sun’s heat
and light.
102. If you are purchasing a new room air conditioner, buy an ENERGY STAR qualified model with a high
energy efficiency rating (EER).
103. Replace any air conditioner that is more than 10 years old with an ENERGY STAR qualified model.
104. Clean or replace AC filters often.
105. Use ceiling or portable fans instead of air conditioners where possible.
