Seasonal energy saving tips

Furnace filter upkeep

Regularly change furnace filters to keep systems operating efficiently. A dirty filter reduces airflow, which decreases performance and causes damage.

Insulate crawl spaces

Insulate walls and the underside of floors that are over unconditioned crawl spaces.

Maintain your system

Schedule service for your heating and air-conditioning systems. Doing this once a year helps ensure your systems operate efficiently and are ready for the season ahead.

Set standard temperatures

Set temperatures correctly. For greatest efficiency set your refrigerator to 40°F and your freezer to 0°F.

Ventilate your attic

Ventilate your attic. Trapped attic heat warms living spaces and allows humidity and pollutants to build up. Check that vents are open and motorized systems are working. Work with a professional to improve your ventilation if needed.

Weather strip windows and doors

Weather strip windows and doors to save money on energy bills and increase home comfort by controlling leaks and drafts.

Use a ceiling fan

Turn on your ceiling fan during warm weather. You'll be able to set your thermostat four degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. Just remember to turn it off when you leave the room. Fans cool people, not spaces.

Bathroom exhaust fans

Use bathroom and other exhaust fans wisely to suck out heat and humidity from bathrooms but don't leave them running, pulling conditioned air out of your house.

Clear around heat pumps

Clear space around your heat pump (or central AC). Make sure that no trees, weeds, shrubs, or other obstructions block the airflow around and under your unit. Blockages lead to higher energy consumption and maintenance costs.

Turn up the temperature

Turn up your thermostat on your air-conditioning system. For each degree you raise the temperature, you’ll save about 3% on cooling costs for the period the setting is raised.

Make the switch to LEDs

Use LED bulbs in all fixtures. When shopping for LEDs look for the ENERGY STAR® label. A 60-watt incandescent bulb can be replaced by a 9-watt LED bulb that uses a fraction of the energy and is rated to last more than 25,000 hours.

Clean your lint filter

Clean the lint filter after each drying cycle to maintain dryer efficiency.

Other tips:

Turn on your ceiling fan during warm weather. You'll be able to set your thermostat up to four degrees higher without sacrificing comfort. Just remember to turn it off when you leave the room. Fans cool people, not spaces.
Schedule an annual tune up for your air-conditioning and heat system to ensure they operate efficiently and are ready for the season ahead.
Weatherstrip and caulk around windows, door frames, and where baseboards meet walls to stop drafts and heat gain. You'll save money on energy bills and increase home comfort by controlling leaks and drafts.
Add insulation to your attic to reduce energy loss through your roof—one of the most significant areas for heat loss in most homes.
Ventilate your attic. Trapped attic heat warms living spaces and allows humidity to build up. Check that vents are open and motorized systems are working. Work with a professional to improve your ventilation if needed.
Replace worn or ripped door sweeps, including those on doors in attached garages. Sweeps block drafts from reaching inside your home!
Reschedule use of ovens, clothes dryers, and dishwashers in the evening when it is cooler.
Set your thermostat set at a higher temperature (74 degrees to 76 degrees) to start. After a few days, evaluate and adjust to maximize your comfort level and energy savings.

Seasonal energy-saving tips

Summer energy tips