12 Ways to Put Your Home on an Energy Diet

Adopt these 12 home-energy saving ideas and save money on utilities.

By Larry Bilotti | Published Apr 09, 2020 01:30 PM

Put Your House on an Energy Diet

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12 Home Energy Saving Ideas

Running a house takes a lot of energy—literally. From charging devices to running the AC, so many aspects of daily life requires power. If your most recent utility bills have you thinking it’s time to put your house on a diet then try implementing these energy-saving ideas. They don’t require a drastic lifestyle change and they are easy to quickly implement, so you can start seeing those savings.

Related: 14 Secrets of People with Low Energy Bills

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Unplug Your Gadgets

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home energy saving ideas - unplug devices

Just because an appliance is turned off that doesn't mean it's not drawing power. According to the energy experts at Cornell University,"vampire power" costs consumers $30 billion a year—or about $200 per household. Unplug devices and appliances like ph one chargers , l aptops, and toasters when they are not in use (or once they are fully charged).

Related: 18 Ways You're Accidentally Wasting Energy

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Adjust the Water Heater Temperature

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home energy saving ideas - check water heater temperature

Lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater is an easy way to save money; for each 10ºF you decrease the temperature, you can save 3%–5% in energy costs. Some manufacturers set water heater thermostats at 140ºF, but a temperature of 120ºF is more than sufficient for most households. Check and reset yours if necessary.

Related: 12 Ways Your Home Can Save You Money This Year

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Change Filters

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home energy saving ideas - change furnace filter

A dirty air filter means your HVAC system has to work even harder to function, thus using more energy. You can make sure it works efficiently by changing the filter. It's important to note that different filters require different actions; fiberglass filters should be replaced monthly throughout the heating season, while permanent filters should be cleaned regularly. 

Related: Change Filters Frequently to Optimize Furnace Efficiency

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Opt for the Dishwasher

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home energy saving ideas - use the dishwasher

You might think you're saving energy by hand-washing dirty dishes rather than using a big appliance, but dishwashers actually use less hot water than letting the tap run as you scrub. When it's time to clean dishes, don't rinse them before loading and be sure to fill your dishwasher to its capacity before running. Save more by opening the door after the final rinse to let dishes air-dry naturally. And if you can, run the machine at night to benefit from off-peak rates. 

Related: These are the Biggest Electricity Hogs in Your Home

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Choose Cold Cycle

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home energy saving ideas - cold cycle energy benefit

About 90% of the energy used to wash clothes goes toward heating the hot- and warm-water cycles. With the advances in washers and laundry detergents, it's possible to get both white and colored clothes perfectly clean in cold water. Opt for the cold cycle whenever possible.

Related: 10 Energy-Saving Myths You Shouldn't Believe

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Program Your Thermostat

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home energy saving ideas - programmable thermostat energy saving

A programmable thermostat—one that adjusts the temperature when you are away from home—can save you about 10% a year on heating and cooling costs. Replace your standard thermostat with a programmable model (or even upgrade to a smart thermostat), so you can take control of the temperature. 

Related: 9 Energy-Saving Home Upgrades That Pay for Themselves

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Fix Those Leaks

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home energy saving ideas - fix faucet leak water waste

According to the Environmental Protection Agency the average household's leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year. Not only is that terribly wasteful, but an ignored leak can lead to bigger plumbing problems. Regularly check all of your faucets for leaks, and when you discover them, fix them yourself or get them fixed as quickly as possible.

Related: 20 Cheap Home Repairs That Could Save You Thousands

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Circulate Air

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home energy saving ideas - ceiling fan energy savings

You can pay anywhere from 36 cents per hour to operate a room air conditioner, but a ceiling fan will cost roughly a penny for the same amount of time. While a ceiling fan won't cool a room the same way AC does, it will circulate the air and create a breeze. And don't think that ceiling fans are only effective in the hot summer months. Reverse the direction during the winter to recirculate warm air collecting near the ceiling.

Related: 9 Ways to Lower Cooling Costs in Rising Heat

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Go Low Flow

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home energy saving ideas - low flow plumbing fixtures

According to the EPA's WaterSense, Americans use more than 1.2 trillion gallons of water while showering, marking it as one of the country's top residential water uses. Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators allow you to save resources without sacrificing water pressure. By installing one you can save up to 2,700 gallons per year, and more than 330 kilowatt hours of electricity annually since there's less demand on the water heater. Another simple idea to cut back on water waste? Set a timer for shorter showers.

Related: 22 Water-Saving Habits to Start Right Now

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Use Better Bulbs

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home energy saving ideas - energy-efficient light bulbs

If you replaced your home's five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with ENERGY STAR-certified lights, you could save as much as $75 each year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. As your incandescent bulbs burn out, replace them with-efficient bulbs. They use 80% less energy and can last 3-25 times longer. 

Related: Buyer’s Guide: LED Light Bulbs

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Seal Air Leaks

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home energy saving ideas - seal air leaks

ENERGY STAR estimates that you can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on your total annual energy bill) by making sure your home is adequately sealed and insulated. Be sure to seal leaks around windows, doors, electrical outlets and elsewhere with weatherstripping and caulk. 

Related: 10 Problems You Can Solve with Caulk

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One Less Flush

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home energy saving ideas - water efficient toilets

Toilets use about 30% of your home's indoor water consumption. And if you have older models, they could use up to six gallons of water per flush! If you replace your inefficient toilets with WaterSense labeled ones, your household can save nearly 13,000 gallons of water every year. If you aren't ready to buy new toilets consider retrofitting your current toilet tanks with water-conserving kits.

Related: 14 Sneaky Ways to Save Money on Your Water Bill

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Scale Back

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Scale Back

Paring back energy consumption is good for the Earth and your wallet.

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