Use energy efficient outdoor lighting, preferably with a timer or motion sensor.
Motion sensors can save upwards of $167 dollars a year, based on estimates of average energy use.
Smart speakers, like Amazon Alexa or Google Home, allow you to offer up commands to control lighting and other devices throughout your home to help save energy.
When you leave the house, turn up the thermostat a few degrees on hot days and lower it a few degrees on cool days. Or, better yet, use a smart thermostat to set it and forget it. Smart thermostats can save, on average $219 a year.
Turn off the lights and unplug unnecessary appliances when you leave the room. Also, use LED lightbulbs where you can.
Use smart plugs so that you can turn on and off electric items like the TV and lights remotely. Using a smart power strip can save upwards of $200 a year when used correctly!
Unplug small appliances like toasters and coffee makers when you are not using them.
Cover your pots to save energy and heat your food faster.
Use your microwave or toaster oven to reheat or cook small portions.
Try and use Energy Star appliances which are more efficient.
Eliminate air leaks by sealing any gaps and holes in the floors, walls or ceiling of your basement.
Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120°F to help save energy. Insulating your water heater can also help you save 7-16% annually on water heating costs.
Heat pumps can reduce the electricity you use to heat your home by 50%, compared to electric furnaces and/or electric baseboards.
Adding insulation in your basement is a great way to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Smart bulbs allow you to shut off lights remotely through an app and can save around $11 a year.
Sealing and weather stripping windows and doors is a quick and inexpensive way to save 10-20% off your heating and cooling bills.
If your HVAC system is more than 15 years old, installing new energy efficient heating and cooling equipment can reduce your energy use by 20%.
Taking showers instead of baths reduces water costs. Potentially, using an energy efficient shower head can cut your water bill in half annually!
Putting aerators on your faucets can save you around 280 gallons of water a month, lowering your heating and water bills.
Turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth to save water.
Teach them to shut off the lights and turn off TVs and computers when they leave the room.
Give kids incentives to be energy responsible. Tell them that the money they save can go towards a reward - like a family pizza party or extra time to play video games or watch TV. Whatever motivates your child!
Click here to learn more about going solar with our consumer guide.
Putting solar panels on your house may create more electricity than your home is using, so this allows you to help offset your electric bill by selling back unused electricity to the grid.