simple smart savings

Simple savings

Find simple ways to save throughout your home.

Rebates and programs (Focus on Energy)

  Savings
Online home energy assessment
Get a free home energy report in 10 minutes or less to save on energy costs.		 Up to 20%
Free energy-saving pack
Request your free energy-saving pack full of home products to help you save.		 Varies
Insulation and air sealing
Insulate and air seal your home to save on energy costs, and earn up to $200 in rebates.		 Up to 15%
Advanced power strips
Use less energy with advanced power strips and get instant rebates.		 Up to 10%

Appliances

  Savings
Do laundry the energy-efficient way.
Washing clothes in cold water and air-drying is a great way to cut costs.		 $30 - $40 annually
Use smart settings on your dishwasher.
Turn off the heat boost and let your dishes air dry.		 $40 annually
Keep your refrigeration costs down.
With the proper placement, temperature setting and maintenance, you can keep your refrigerator running at top efficiency.		 Varies
Be an energy-efficient cook.
When it comes to saving energy in the kitchen, there are plenty of ways to use less.		 $18 - $36 annually

Cooling

  Savings
Choose ENERGY STAR® certified air conditioners
ENERGY STAR® certified central or room air conditioners will save energy, especially if replacing older units.		 Up to 30% annually
Schedule AC tuneup
Get a preseason tuneup for peak performance and to extend the unit's life while reducing risk of expensive repairs. The unit will maintain a more consistent temperature and run less often on hot days, saving energy and reducing costs.		 Up to 15% annually
Install smart and programmable thermostat
Smart and programmable thermostats can save money by raising the air conditioning temperature when you’re away and overnight. Whether you want a different setting for weekdays and weekends, or to schedule each day of the week, there’s a model for every lifestyle. Set your thermostat to 78 F, then program it to raise the temperature 8 degrees when you’re away from home and 4 degrees overnight. Check outdoor temperatures and open windows overnight to cool your home for free. The only difference you’ll notice is lower cooling bills.		 Up to $180 annually
Minimize indoor heat generation
Change the times of day you use appliances that heat the air, and turn off lights when not needed. Close drapes to keep sun out and consider thermal curtains to reduce energy losses up to 25%. Wait to do heat-generating activities such as cooking and laundry until evening hours. Consider line drying laundry.		 Varies
Install ceiling fans
Fans efficiently cool a home in summer months and circulate warm air in winter. Install an ENERGY STAR® certified ceiling fan yourself or contract a qualified electrician.		 $165 over 10 years
Upgrade insulation
Add or upgrade insulation to save energy year-round, keeping cooler in summer and warmer in winter. A minimum insulating value of R-38 will reduce energy bills and improve comfort. Start with the attic, typically the most cost-effective place to add insulation. If the home feels drafty in winter or warm in summer, additional insulation in exterior walls, crawl space or basement may help.		 About $200 annually
Seal leaks
Sealing leaks is a cost-effective way to save money on energy costs and improve household comfort. Weatherstripping creates a tight seal between movable components such as doors and windows. Use a qualified technician to detect leaks or find them yourself from visual inspections inside and outside the home. Weatherstripping is easy to install. Metal weatherstripping is affordable and long lasting. Vinyl resists moisture in high-traffic areas. Felts and foams are best for low-traffic areas. Other sealing approaches include caulk and caulking gun, gaskets for electrical outlets and switches, fireplace draft stoppers and attic door covers.		 Up to 20%

Electronics

  Savings
Use smart power strips to avoid phantom loads.
Stop energy waste and keep your home safe by turning off electronics with one switch.		 Varies
Adjust power-management settings on computers and monitors.
Maximize home office energy efficiency by learning which settings save you the most money.		 Up to 70%
Use rechargeable batteries.
Rechargeable batteries are more energy- and cost-efficient, and keep disposable batteries out of landfills.		 Up to 35%

Heating

  Savings
Change air filter
Clean air filters help furnaces run efficiently and can lower energy use up to 15%. Check your filter every 30 days and especially when the system is heavily used, as during hot summer and cold winter months. If the filter is dirty, replace it if disposable, or clean it if permanent.		 Up to 15%
Get preseason tuneups
Schedule yearly HVAC system tuneups to improve efficiency and life span. Besides saving money on energy bills, having a contractor check connections can help avoid unsafe conditions, including fire and health hazards.		 Up to 10%
Install smart and programmable thermostat
Save energy with a smart and programmable thermostat that reduces heat when not needed. Set thermostat at 68 F, then program it to decrease temperature 8 degrees when away from home and overnight.		 Up to $180 annually
Upgrade insulation
Add or upgrade insulation to save energy year-round, keeping cooler in summer and warmer in winter. A minimum insulating value of R-38 will reduce energy bills and improve comfort. Start with the attic, typically the most cost-effective place to add insulation. If the home feels drafty in winter or warm in summer, additional insulation in exterior walls, crawl space or basement may help.		 About $200 annually
Seal and insulate ducts
Seal and insulate HVAC ductwork to improve energy efficiency, especially seams and connections that run through an attic, crawl space, basement and/or garage. Use mastic duct sealant or metal-backed tape, then wrap in insulation to keep ducts warm in winter and cool in summer. Check connections where vents meet floors, walls and ceilings. Also make sure air vents aren’t blocked by furniture or rugs. A contractor can inspect and repair the whole duct system.		 Up to 20%
Install energy-efficient windows
Install ENERGY STAR® windows to increase home energy efficiency. Though relatively costly to upgrade, windows improve efficiency by reducing drafts and maintaining even temperatures. If unable to replace existing windows, seal gaps, add storm windows and use window coverings, such as thermal curtains, to retain heat.		 10% - 15% annually
Seal leaks
Sealing leaks is a cost-effective way to save money on energy costs and improve household comfort by reducing drafts. Weatherstripping creates a tight seal between movable components such as doors and windows. Use a qualified technician to detect leaks or find them yourself from visual inspections inside and outside the home. Weatherstripping is easy to install. Metal types are affordable and long lasting. Vinyl resists moisture in high-traffic areas. Felts and foams are best for low-traffic areas. Other sealing approaches include caulk and caulking gun, gaskets for electrical outlets and switches, fireplace draft stoppers and attic door covers.		 Up to 20%
Install window film (1 minute video)
Window shrink wrap can help reduce heat loss to drafty windows.		 Up to 35%

Lighting

  Savings
Use ENERGY STAR® LED lights.
Replace light fixtures and bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified LED lighting to realize healthy savings.		 Approximately $6 per bulb annually
Install lighting controls.
Save energy without much effort by using indoor lighting controls such as dimmers, occupancy sensors and timers.		 Up to $30 annually
Use natural light to your advantage.
Use daylight to light your home whenever possible. It not only saves energy, but can lift your spirits.		 Varies

Water heating

  Savings
Lower your water heater thermostat.
Set your water heater thermostat to 120 F to save energy and money.		 Up to 9%
Use less hot water.
Reducing hot water use is an easy, affordable way to see significant savings on energy and water bills.		 Varies
Insulate hot water piping.
Insulate older electric storage-type water heaters and piping to keep the heat in.		 25% - 45%

Additional tips