Top 10 Household Tips to Save Energy (And Money!)
- Just Better Home Services
- Jun 2
- 10 min read
Updated: Jun 4
Maintaining a comfortable home often comes with energy costs, but adopting smart habits can lead to significant savings and a reduced environmental impact—no matter the season. By implementing simple yet effective strategies, you can manage your energy consumption throughout the year and enjoy a more efficient, affordable, and comfortable living space.
Top 10 Household Tips to Save Energy (And Money!):
1. Optimize Your Heating and Cooling
Thoughtful Thermostat Settings: Set your thermostat to energy-efficient temperatures—68°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer are recommended benchmarks. Even a small adjustment of 1–2 degrees can reduce energy consumption without sacrificing comfort. Take advantage of cooler nights and warmer days by adjusting settings when you’re asleep or away from home.
Leverage Programmable Thermostats: A programmable or smart thermostat helps reduce energy waste by adjusting heating and cooling based on your schedule. Many models can learn your habits or respond to changing weather conditions for even greater efficiency. For optimal system performance, pair this with regular air filter replacements—typically every 90 days, or more frequently depending on your home’s needs.
Use Zoning Systems if Available: If your HVAC system supports zoning, make use of it. By only conditioning the areas that require it, you avoid wasting energy on unoccupied spaces. Imagine heating or cooling guest rooms, a home office that's only used occasionally, or even different levels of your home when they aren't fully in use. Zoning directs the conditioned air only where it's needed, leading to noticeable reductions in your energy use and bills.
2. Utilize Fans for Air Circulation
Year-Round Airflow: Set your ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise in the summer for a cooling breeze and clockwise in the winter to gently recirculate warm air. This low-energy strategy can reduce your reliance on central HVAC systems. Make sure to include wiping dust off your fan blades on your cleaning list to keep your fan from spraying dust into the air.
Strategic Fan Placement: Place oscillating or box fans near vents or open windows to direct airflow throughout the space. This helps distribute conditioned air more effectively and evens out room temperatures.
Proper Ventilation: Good airflow prevents moisture buildup and mold growth, both of which can affect energy efficiency and indoor air quality. Ventilation fans in kitchens, bathrooms, and attics play a key role in removing excess humidity, especially after cooking, showering, or during hot summer months. To get the most out of these fans, run them during and for at least 10–20 minutes after high-humidity activities. Be sure to clean the fan covers and blades regularly to keep them working efficiently—dust and grime buildup can slow them down or reduce airflow. In bathrooms, check that fans vent to the outside and not into an attic or crawlspace. For attics, ensure ridge or soffit vents are unobstructed and fans are functioning properly to regulate temperature and moisture year-round.
3. Seal Your Home
Check for signs of inadequate insulation like cold drafts, uneven heating, or high energy bills.
Check for Drafts: Walk around your home with a tissue or incense stick near windows, doors, and outlets. If the air moves the smoke or tissue, you’ve likely got a draft that’s letting your energy dollars slip out.
Inspect Around Recessed Lighting: Lights installed in ceilings—especially those facing attics—can leak air. From the attic, check that insulation surrounds (but doesn’t touch) the fixtures, unless they’re rated for direct contact.
Inspect Around Windows and Doors: Look for worn weatherstripping or cracked caulking. Replacing these is a low-cost way to stop air leaks and boost your home’s efficiency.
Inspect Attic Insulation: Take a quick look in your attic. If insulation is level with or below the floor joists, it may be time to add more. Also check for any damp spots, which could mean a ventilation or roof issue.
Evaluate Wall Insulation: Exterior walls should feel consistent in temperature. You can remove an outlet cover to peek behind the wall—if you don’t see any insulation, your walls may need help staying cozy.
Look at Basement and Crawl Spaces: Check for insulation along foundation walls and around exposed pipes. These areas are often overlooked but can impact comfort and energy bills in a big way.
Check the Garage: If your garage is attached, make sure the wall and ceiling that connect to your home are insulated. An insulated garage door can also help control indoor temps.
Schedule an Energy Audit: For a full picture of your home’s insulation and energy performance, consider a professional energy audit. These audits often include thermal imaging and blower door tests.
4. Manage Sunlight
Seasonal Window Treatments: Install light-blocking curtains, insulated drapes, or cellular shades to control solar gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. Open them on sunny winter days to let in natural heat, and close them during hot afternoons.
Window Film: Window films are a cost-effective way to enhance your home’s energy performance without a major renovation. Certain types of film reduce solar heat gain by reflecting sunlight, which helps keep your home cooler in the summer and lowers your reliance on air conditioning. Others are designed to improve insulation, helping to retain indoor heat during the winter months.
In addition to temperature control, many films block up to 99% of harmful UV rays, protecting furniture, flooring, and artwork from fading over time. Some also offer added privacy or a glare-reduction feature—perfect for home offices or media rooms with lots of natural light.
Landscaping for Energy Savings: Strategically plant trees and/or shrubs around your home to improve energy efficiency year-round. In summer, leafy greenery helps block intense sunlight, lowering indoor temperatures and reducing air conditioning use. In winter, evergreen shrubs and trees can act as natural windbreaks, shielding your home from cold drafts and helping it retain warmth. Deciduous trees are especially effective—they offer shade during the hottest months and, once their leaves fall, allow warming sunlight through in the cooler seasons.
For the best results, plant in early spring or fall. These seasons offer mild temperatures and increased rainfall, giving trees and shrubs the best chance to establish strong root systems before facing extreme heat or cold. Over time, this kind of thoughtful landscaping doesn’t just reduce energy costs—it also boosts curb appeal and creates a more comfortable, natural outdoor space.
5. Smart Cooking Practices
Reduce Appliance Heat: Stoves and ovens heat your kitchen, increasing your cooling load. Use pressure cookers, microwaves, toaster ovens, or induction cooktops instead—they generate less ambient heat and are more efficient.
Outdoor Cooking: Grilling outside when weather permits is a win-win: it keeps your kitchen cool and adds a fun, seasonal twist to your meals.
Plan No-Cook Meals: Think salads, wraps, and smoothies—especially during hot months. It’s an energy-saving approach that also encourages healthier eating.
Energy-Saving Cooking: Cover pots and pans while cooking to retain heat and moisture. Only use the hot water tap when you actually need hot water. For filling kettles or pans that will be heated on the stove, use cold water to save energy. Boiling water with a regular or electric kettle is typically more efficient than using the stovetop. When cooking on the stove, match the size of your pan to the size of the burner to prevent heat loss.
Conscious Appliance Use: Run your dishwasher only when it’s fully loaded to maximize efficiency. If you have extra refrigerators or freezers that aren’t needed, consider removing them to cut down on energy use. Try to minimize how often you open the refrigerator, and avoid leaving the door open. Also, don’t set your fridge or freezer colder than necessary—recommended temperatures are 35°–38°F for the refrigerator and 0°F for a separate freezer.
Appliance Maintenance: Check that your refrigerator door seals are airtight; worn seals can let cold air escape and force the appliance to work harder. If needed, replace the seals or the unit. Keep stovetop burners and reflectors clean to improve heat transfer and reduce energy use. Yellow flames on gas appliances indicate inefficient burning and may require adjustment. Regularly defrost refrigerators and freezers, as frost buildup reduces their energy efficiency.
6. Embrace Energy-Efficient Lighting
Make the switch to LEDs: Switching to LED lighting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer, significantly lowering both electricity bills and the need for frequent replacements. Additionally, LEDs emit very little heat, reducing the strain on your air conditioning during warmer months and helping to maintain a more comfortable indoor environment. Available in various brightness levels and compatible with dimmers and smart home systems, LED lights offer flexibility and control over your home’s ambiance. They’re also safer and more environmentally friendly since they contain no hazardous materials like mercury. Upgrading to LEDs is a simple yet impactful step toward a more energy-efficient, sustainable home.
Conscious Lighting Habits: Make natural light your first choice. Install dimmers or motion sensors to reduce unnecessary usage, especially in less-frequented areas like hallways or guest rooms.
7. Unplug Idle Electronics
Utilize Energy-Saving Modes: Enable sleep or energy-saver settings on electronics and appliances. It’s a small step that can add up over time, especially in homes with multiple devices.
Eliminate Phantom Loads: Eliminating standby power is a simple yet effective way to reduce unnecessary energy consumption in your home. Many devices, such as phone chargers, coffee makers, microwaves, and entertainment systems, continue to draw power even when turned off or not in use. Over time, these small, invisible energy drains can add up on your electricity bill without you even realizing it.
A great way to combat phantom loads is by using smart power strips. These power strips automatically cut off the flow of electricity to devices that go into standby mode when not in use. Some smart power strips can detect when a device is no longer actively in use and stop power from flowing, preventing the waste of energy.
8. Maintain Your HVAC System Regularly
Professional Servicing: Scheduling bi-annual HVAC tune-ups—once in the spring before cooling season and again in the fall before heating season—helps ensure your system is running at peak performance year-round. During these checkups, technicians clean components, inspect for wear and tear, and test system efficiency. Regular maintenance not only extends the life of your equipment but also helps prevent breakdowns during extreme temperatures, when HVAC systems are under the most strain. Additionally, catching small issues early—like a failing capacitor or dirty coil—can save you from costly repairs or energy spikes down the line.
Clear Outdoor Units: Your outdoor condenser unit needs adequate space and airflow to function efficiently. Keep a clear radius of at least two feet around the unit, free from weeds, overgrown shrubs, leaves, grass clippings, or other debris that can block airflow or clog coils. Regularly check that the fins and fan are unobstructed, especially during peak seasons. Ensuring clear airflow helps the unit release heat more effectively, improving cooling performance and preventing overheating or unnecessary energy use.
Check Ductwork: If your home has central heating and cooling, your ductwork is the delivery system—and leaks or blockages in that system can significantly reduce efficiency. In fact, up to 30% of conditioned air can be lost through gaps, holes, or poorly connected ducts, particularly in attics or crawl spaces. This means your HVAC system has to work harder to maintain your desired temperature, increasing both wear and energy costs. Have a professional inspect your ductwork for leaks, crushed sections, or insulation issues. Sealing and insulating your ducts is a smart investment that boosts performance and lowers utility bills, especially in older homes.
9. Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
Look for Energy Star: Energy Star-rated appliances are a smart investment for long-term savings and environmental responsibility, as they adhere to stringent efficiency guidelines, consuming less energy and water while maintaining high performance levels. This comprehensive rating system covers a wide array of household necessities, including refrigerators, washing machines, and extends to significant energy consumers like heat pump water heaters and entire HVAC systems, ensuring substantial reductions in utility costs across the board.
Upgrade to a Tankless Water Heater: Tankless water heaters are a highly efficient option for homeowners looking to save on energy and enjoy endless hot water. Unlike traditional models that constantly heat a large tank of water, tankless units only heat water on demand, reducing energy waste and lowering utility bills. With energy savings of up to 30%, these units also last 2-3 times longer than traditional water heaters, often exceeding 20 years with proper maintenance. Additionally, their compact size saves valuable space and reduces the risk of water damage since they don’t store water. Ideal for households of any size, tankless water heaters offer a cost-effective, eco-friendly solution that provides reliable hot water when you need it.
Consider Smart Appliances: Smart appliances can be programmed to run during off-peak energy hours or adjust their operation based on usage patterns, helping you save both energy and money over time.
10. Manage Water Heating Efficiently
Optimal Water Heater Temperature: Setting your water heater to 120°F strikes a practical balance between meeting your daily hot water demands and maximizing energy efficiency. This temperature is generally sufficient for showering, dishwashing, and laundry, while significantly reducing the energy wasted on heating water to unnecessarily high temperatures. Furthermore, lowering your water heater temperature to 120°F adds an important safety measure by minimizing the risk of accidental scalding, particularly for children and the elderly.
Insulate Water Heater and Pipes: Adding an insulating jacket to your water heater acts like a cozy blanket, significantly slowing down heat loss and reducing the frequency with which the unit needs to reheat water, especially in unconditioned spaces. Similarly, wrapping your hot water pipes, particularly those running through colder areas such as basements and garages, minimizes heat dissipation as water travels to faucets and appliances. These simple insulation measures ensure that you're not paying to reheat water that has cooled down unnecessarily as it sits in the tank or travels through uninsulated pipes.
Fix Leaky Faucets: A dripping water tap can waste both water and energy over time. Even a slow drip—just one drop every second—can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water per year. This not only leads to higher water bills but also increases the workload on your water heater, especially if the tap is hot water-related. As the heater works harder to replenish the water, energy consumption rises, resulting in higher energy bills.
Addressing this issue quickly by repairing leaky faucets can prevent small problems from escalating into bigger, more expensive issues. Over time, small leaks can cause damage to pipes, faucets, and even the surrounding areas, leading to costly repairs. Additionally, fixing leaks helps reduce your home’s overall water consumption, contributing to environmental conservation and lowering your water usage footprint.
Let Just Better Home Services Help You Stay Energy-Efficient:
At Just Better Home Services, we are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal energy efficiency and comfort in your home in every season. Our services include:
Energy Audits: Our comprehensive energy audits identify areas where your home can improve in terms of energy efficiency. We provide actionable recommendations tailored to your specific needs.
AC Maintenance and Installation: We offer professional air conditioning maintenance and installation services to ensure your system runs efficiently. Our experts can help you choose the right AC unit for your home, ensuring optimal performance and energy savings.
Smart Home Solutions: We can help you integrate smart home technologies, such as programmable thermostats and energy-efficient appliances, to manage your energy use more effectively.
Lighting Upgrades: Switching to LED lighting can significantly cut your energy usage. We offer lighting upgrade services to help you transition to more energy-efficient options.
By adopting these energy-saving strategies and utilizing our professional services, you can enjoy a comfortable and energy-efficient home in every season, leading to lower utility bills and a smaller environmental footprint. Make energy efficiency a continuous priority for a more sustainable and comfortable living environment.
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