Cooling

• Raise your thermostat 1 degree and save 2–3% on cooling costs.
• Program your thermostat to adjust the temperature when you’re not home.
• Have your AC serviced at least once a year. Regular maintenance keeps your AC running its best and can help prevent more expensive repairs.
• Change your air filters monthly. Dirty filters make your AC work harder, costing you money.
• When your AC is running, keep the doors inside your home open. This improves air flow, helping your AC run more efficiently.
• Instead of turning up the AC, try using a ceiling fan for a cool breeze. Be sure to turn the fan off when you leave the room. Remember: Fans cool people, not rooms.
• Install shades on sunny windows to keep out the heat. Keeping drapes or blinds closed during the day will also help.
• Plant low-water-use shade trees along sunny windows, exterior walls or areas of your roof to keep your home cool.
• Caulk around doors, windows and sill plates – anywhere outside air might enter your home.
• Using the oven heats up your home. When you can, use a microwave, air fryer or slow cooker instead. You might also consider grilling outside.
• Turn off any lights or appliances you aren’t using; they create heat.

Heating

• Set your thermostat’s heat setting to 60° or lower when you’re away on vacation.
• In the winter, run ceiling fans clockwise to circulate warm air.
• Caulk around doors, windows and sill plates – anywhere outside air might enter your home.
• During the day, open the drapes or blinds to let in sunshine. Close them at night to trap the heat.
• Turn off exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen when you aren’t using them.
• Don’t use the oven for heat and avoid using a portable electric heater as your main heat source.
• If you have a fireplace, try using a chimney pillow to keep out cold air.

Pools & Spas

• Install a variable-speed pool pump and save up to 70% — as much as $340 a year.
• If you know you won’t be using your pool for a long time, turn off the heater.
• Keep your spa at a steady temperature. It costs about $4 to heat an electric spa from 70° to 100° — and about $1 per day to keep it at 100°.
• Lower the water temperature of your spa and save.
• When you aren’t using your spa, be sure to cover it and turn it off. This can save you about $1 a day.
• Sign up for a time-of-use plan. You could save up to $120 a year by running your pool pump during super off-peak hours in the winter.

Lighting

• Switch to LED bulbs. They use up to 90% less energy and emit 90% less heat than traditional bulbs.
• Add timers to lights.
• Turn off any lights or appliances you aren’t using; they create heat.

Water Heater

If you have an electric water heater, you can save money by conserving hot water.

• Put your water heater on a timer.
• Add a water-heater insulation jacket to reduce energy use by 10%. (Check with the manufacturer.)
• Install low-flow showerheads.
• Turn off the hot water while shaving and brushing your teeth.
• Wash dishes with warm or cold water.
• Set your dishwasher to air-dry instead of heat dry.
• Washing only full loads of laundry. For small loads, adjust the water level.
• Wash clothes in cold water.

Laundry

• Wash only full loads of laundry. For small loads, adjust the water level.
• Wash clothes in cold water. About 90% of the energy needed to run a washing machine is used to heat the water.
• Before putting your clothes in the dryer, run an extra spin cycle to remove more water.
• When you can, hang clothes to dry instead of using the dryer. (You can do this inside or outside. You’d be surprised how quickly clothes dry in warm weather.)
• Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load. This increases air flow.
• Dry loads of laundry back-to-back. This keeps the dryer warm.

Cooking

• Using the oven heats up your home. In the summer, try using a microwave, air fryer or slow cooker instead. You might also consider grilling outside.
• Cook multiple dishes at once in the oven.
• Use a toaster oven or microwave to cook small portions of food, such as a baked potato.
• Use glass baking pans. They cook faster at a lower temperature.

Electronics

• Turn off computers and printers when you aren’t using them.
• Unplug electric devices when you aren’t using them. Many devices draw power even when they’re turned off.

Vacation

• When you’re away on summer vacation, set your AC between 85° and 90°. You can turn your AC off completely if it’s safe to do so.
• When you’re away on winter vacation, set your thermostat’s heat setting to 60° or lower.
• Set your fridge and freezer to slightly warmer temperatures.
• A full fridge or freezer is more efficient than an empty one. If there’s extra room, fill your fridge and freezer with jugs of water.
• Turn your hot water heater off at the circuit breaker. Before turning it back on, make sure it’s filled with water by running the hot water tap.
• Unplug your TV. It will draw power even if it’s turned off.
• Turn off all lights, except those needed for security.
• Install a timer for outside lights or try solar-powered lighting

Cooling

• Practice pre-cooling your home. Watch this short video to learn how.
• Have your AC serviced at least once a year. Regular maintenance keeps your AC running its best and can help prevent more expensive repairs.
• Change your air filters monthly. Dirty filters make your AC work harder, costing you money.
• When your AC is running, keep the doors inside your home open. This improves air flow, helping your AC run more efficiently.
• Install shades on sunny windows to keep out the heat. Keeping drapes or blinds closed during the day will also help.
• Plant low-water-use shade trees along sunny windows, exterior walls or areas of your roof to keep your home cool.
• Caulk around doors, windows and sill plates – anywhere outside air might enter your home.
• Using the oven heats up your home. When you can, use a microwave, air fryer or slow cooker instead. You might also consider grilling outside.
• If you can, use your oven during lower-cost off-peak hours, before 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays. Consider prepping big meals ahead of time.

Heating

• If you have electric heat, try pre-heating your home during super off-peak hours on weekdays. Raise your thermostat a few degrees from 10am-3pm, then lower it a few degrees during on-peak hours, from 4pm-7pm.
• Set your thermostat’s heat setting to 60° or lower when you’re away on vacation.
• During the day, open the drapes or blinds to let in sunshine. Close them at night to trap the heat.
• Caulk around doors, windows and sill plates – anywhere outside air might enter your home.
• Turn off exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen when you aren’t using them.
• Don’t use the oven for heat and avoid using a portable electric heater as your main heat source.
• If you have a fireplace, try using a chimney pillow to keep out cold air.

Pools & Spas

• Install a variable-speed pool pump and save up to 70% — as much as $340 a year.
• If you know you won’t be using your pool for a long time, turn off the heater.
• Keep your spa at a steady temperature. It costs about $4 to heat an electric spa from 70° to 100° — and about $1 per day to keep it at 100°.
• Lower the water temperature of your spa and save.
• When you aren’t using your spa, be sure to cover it and turn it off. This can save you about $1 a day.
• In the winter, run your pool pump during super off-peak hours from 10am-3pm and save.

Lighting

• Switch to LED bulbs. They use up to 90% less energy and emit 90% less heat than traditional bulbs.
• Add timers to lights.
• Turn off any lights or appliances you aren’t using; they create heat.

Water Heater

If you have an electric water heater, you can save money by conserving hot water.

• Put your water heater on a timer.
• Add a water-heater insulation jacket to reduce energy use by 10%. (Check with the manufacturer.)
• Install low-flow showerheads.
• Wash dishes with warm or cold water.
• Set your dishwasher to air-dry instead of heat dry.
• Washing only full loads of laundry. For small loads, adjust the water level.
• Wash clothes in cold water.
• Run your washer and dishwasher during lower-cost off-peak hours, before 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays.
• Turn off the hot water while shaving and brushing your teeth.

Laundry

• Do laundry during lower-cost off-peak hours, before 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays.
• Wash only full loads of laundry. For small loads, adjust the water level.
• Wash clothes in cold water. About 90% of the energy needed to run a washing machine is used to heat the water.
• Before putting your clothes in the dryer, run an extra spin cycle to remove more water.
• When you can, hang clothes to dry instead of using the dryer. (You can do this inside or outside. You’d be surprised how quickly clothes dry in warm weather.)
• Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load. This increases air flow.
• Dry loads of laundry back-to-back. This keeps the dryer warm.

Cooking

• Using the oven heats up your home. In the summer, try using a microwave, air fryer or slow cooker instead. You might also consider grilling outside.
• If you can, use your oven during lower-cost off-peak hours, before 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays. Consider prepping big meals ahead of time.
• Cook multiple dishes at once in the oven.
• Use a toaster oven or microwave to cook small portions of food, such as a baked potato.
• Use glass baking pans. They cook faster at a lower temperature.

Electronics

• Turn off computers and printers when you aren’t using them.
• Unplug electronic devices when you aren’t using them. Many electronics draw power even when they’re turned off.

Vacation

• When you’re away on summer vacation, set your AC between 85° and 90°. You can turn your AC off completely if it’s safe to do so.
• When you’re away on winter vacation, set your thermostat’s heat setting to 60° or lower.
• Set your fridge and freezer to slightly warmer temperatures.
• A full fridge or freezer is more efficient than an empty one. If there’s extra room, fill your fridge and freezer with jugs of water.
• Turn your hot water heater off at the circuit breaker. Before turning it back on, make sure it’s filled with water by running the hot water tap.
• Unplug your TV. It will draw power even if it’s turned off.
• Turn off all lights, except those needed for security.
• Install a timer for outside lights or try solar-powered lighting.

Cooling

• Practice pre-cooling your home. Watch this short video to learn how.
• Have your AC serviced at least once a year. Regular maintenance keeps your AC running its best and can help prevent more expensive repairs.
• Change your air filters monthly. Dirty filters make your AC work harder, costing you money.
• When your AC is running, keep the doors inside your home open. This improves air flow, helping your AC run more efficiently.
• Install shades on sunny windows to keep out the heat. Keeping drapes or blinds closed during the day will also help.
• Plant low-water-use shade trees along sunny windows, exterior walls or areas of your roof to keep your home cool.
• Caulk around doors, windows and sill plates – anywhere outside air might enter your home.
• Using the oven heats up your home. When you can, use a microwave, air fryer or slow cooker instead. You might also consider grilling outside.
• If you can, use your oven during lower-cost off-peak hours, before 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays. Consider prepping big meals ahead of time.

Heating

• If you have electric heat, try pre-heating your home during super off-peak hours on weekdays. Raise your thermostat a few degrees from 10am-3pm, then lower it a few degrees during on-peak hours, from 4pm-7pm.
• Set your thermostat’s heat setting to 60° or lower when you’re away on vacation.
• During the day, open the drapes or blinds to let in sunshine. Close them at night to trap the heat.
• Caulk around doors, windows and sill plates – anywhere outside air might enter your home.
• Turn off exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen when you aren’t using them.
• Don’t use the oven for heat and avoid using a portable electric heater as your main heat source.
• If you have a fireplace, try using a chimney pillow to keep out cold air.

Pools & Spas

• Install a variable-speed pool pump and save up to 70% — as much as $340 a year.
• If you know you won’t be using your pool for a long time, turn off the heater.
• Keep your spa at a steady temperature. It costs about $4 to heat an electric spa from 70° to 100° — and about $1 per day to keep it at 100°.
• Lower the water temperature of your spa and save.
• When you aren’t using your spa, be sure to cover it and turn it off. This can save you about $1 a day.
• In the winter, run your pool pump during super off-peak hours from 10am-3pm and save.

Lighting

• Switch to LED bulbs. They use up to 90% less energy and emit 90% less heat than traditional bulbs.
• Put outside and seasonal lights on a timer.
• Turn off any lights or appliances you aren’t using; they create heat.

Water Heater

If you have an electric water heater, you can save money by conserving hot water.

• Put your water heater on a timer.
• Add a water-heater insulation jacket to reduce energy use by 10%. (Check with the manufacturer.)
• Install low-flow showerheads.
• Wash dishes with warm or cold water.
• Set your dishwasher to air-dry instead of heat dry.
• Washing only full loads of laundry. For small loads, adjust the water level.
• Wash clothes in cold water.
• Run your washer and dishwasher during lower-cost off-peak hours, before 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays. If you must use appliances during on-peak hours, run them one at a time.
• Turn off the hot water while shaving and brushing your teeth.

Laundry

• Do laundry during lower-cost off-peak hours, before 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays. If you must do laundry during on-peak hours, run your washer and dryer one at a time.
• Wash only full loads of laundry. For small loads, adjust the water level.
• Wash clothes in cold water. About 90% of the energy needed to run a washing machine is used to heat the water.
• Before putting your clothes in the dryer, run an extra spin cycle to remove more water.
• When you can, hang clothes to dry instead of using the dryer. (You can do this inside or outside. You’d be surprised how quickly clothes dry in warm weather.)
• Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load. This increases air flow.
• Dry loads of laundry back-to-back. This keeps the dryer warm.

Cooking

• Using the oven heats up your home. In the summer, try using a microwave, air fryer or slow cooker instead. You might also consider grilling outside.
• If you can, use your oven during lower-cost off-peak hours, before 4pm or after 7pm on weekdays. Consider prepping big meals ahead of time.
• Cook multiple dishes at once in the oven.
• Use a toaster oven or microwave to cook small portions of food, such as a baked potato.
• Use glass baking pans. They cook faster at a lower temperature.

Electronics

• Turn off computers and printers when you aren’t using them.
• Unplug electronic devices when you aren’t using them. Many electronics draw power even when they’re turned off.

Vacation

• When you’re away on summer vacation, set your AC between 85° and 90°. You can turn your AC off completely if it’s safe to do so.
• When you’re away on winter vacation, set your thermostat’s heat setting to 60° or lower.
• Set your fridge and freezer to slightly warmer temperatures.
• A full fridge or freezer is more efficient than an empty one. If there’s extra room, fill your fridge and freezer with jugs of water.
• Turn your hot water heater off at the circuit breaker. Before turning it back on, make sure it’s filled with water by running the hot water tap.
• Unplug your TV. It will draw power even if it’s turned off.
• Turn off all lights, except those needed for security.
• Install a timer for outside lights or try solar-powered lighting.