Home Savings CheckList

Tune up your home, save energy, save money, and help get America on a smart energy track. Use this handy checklist to save $600 a year or more. Download and print the full Check List & Guide.


1. LIGHTING

With regular bulbs 95 percent of the energy used goes to heating the bulb. You can save $60 plus each year in energy costs with compact florescent light (CFL). They use two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer.

  • Replace your 5 most used light bulbs -or all of them with CFL’s.
  • Tape “Please Turn Me Off” stickers on switch-plates & lamps.


2. HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

Most of home energy use is from your heating and cooling systems. Each degree can equal 3% of your heating bill. Setting your thermostat to 66 heating/76 cooling when you’re home and 60/82 when away saves energy and money. Remember, dirty filters and clogs force your furnace and AC to work harder.

  • Adjust your thermostat.
  • Set a schedule to clean or replace furnace and air conditioning air filters.
  • Seal accessible furnace and A/C ductwork leaks with a duct mastic, check seams.


3. KITCHEN APPLIANCES

Replacing a medium-sized refrigerator built in 1990 with a new ENERGY STAR model will save you $90 per year.

  • Set refrigerators and freezers to energy saving settings. (but don’t melt the ice cream).


4. WASHER & DRYER

Avoid hot water washing and save up to 80%. And save 100% of your drying costs by using air drying rack or a clothes line.

  • Set your water heater to 120 degrees, no hotter.
  • For older water heaters, install an insulating “blanket”.

5. WATER HEATER

For each 10ºF reduction in water heater temperature, you save between 3%–5% on energy. Reducing the temperature by 20 degrees can save you nearly $50 a year.

  • Get new water saving shower heads.


6. BATHROOMS & FAUCETS

Saving water also saves energy. It takes a lot of energy to pump
around all the water we use. Just replacing faucets and showers
with low-flow fixtures can save about 45 of gallons each day. Save
water AND energy with wise use and low flow showerheads and
faucets. They are inexpensive and easy to replace.

 

7. HOME ENTERTAINMENT & COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Electronics like TVs, cable boxes and computer equipment continue
to use electricity even when “off”. You may be spending $100 per
year to power devices in this "standby” mode. Use power strips or
turn them off.


8. AIR LEAKS & HEATING VENTS

Ask at your hardware store about weather-stripping and caulk for
doors and windows and don’t forget attic hatches and fireplace
dampers! Also, consider transparent insulating film for single-pane
windows.


9. IN THE GARAGE OR PARKING LOT….

Your car is a huge opportunity. Fixing a car that is noticeably out of
tune can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4%. Maintaining
your tires at their proper pressure improves gas mileage by approximately
3%.


10. SUPPORT RENEWABLE ENERGY

Check with your power company to see if you can buy renewable
energy. Contact your elected representatives and tell them you
want clean energy.