Best 10 Home Energy-Saving Tips for 2024

As energy prices tick up, homeowners across America could use a little relief. We can’t control the price of electricity, unfortunately, but we can control our thermostats. Taking personal care to save electricity at home will mean more money in your pocket.

Some homeowners are afraid that reducing their energy use will lead to a steep drop in comfort, but this doesn’t need to be the case. Employing several simple ways to save electricity can achieve a meaningful effect without significantly affecting your lifestyle. The goal is to improve energy efficiency and minimize waste rather than endure the heat or cold.

Let’s look at the best ways to reduce energy use at home.

Top 10 Energy-Saving Methods in the Home

Switching off unnecessary lighting and adjusting your thermostat are straightforward and effective ways to conserve electricity, but here are some of the less obvious electrical energy-saving tips.

1. Insulate your windows and doors.

Drafty doors and windows are among the most significant causes of home energy inefficiency. If you’re running your heat or air conditioning, keep your doors and windows firmly sealed. Consider applying weather stripping to your windows and using gaskets or insulation kits on your doors. These materials are readily available online or in hardware stores, and they don’t require special knowledge or skills to install.

If your budget allows, you can install energy-efficient windows. While the upfront cost may be high, this kind of home improvement pays for itself over time.

2. Switch to LED lighting.

Traditional incandescent bulbs are not especially efficient. They consume a good deal of electricity and burn out quickly. Modern LED bulbs last much longer and use only a quarter of the energy that incandescent bulbs use.

Many people like the warm glow of incandescent bulbs, but you can achieve the same hue with LEDs. Many LED bulbs are programmable, allowing you to set your home lighting to virtually any color or intensity.

3. Unplug “energy vampires.”

Just because an appliance is off doesn’t mean it’s not continuing to consume energy. Devices such as phone and computer chargers, coffee machines, televisions, and rechargeable vacuums are dubbed “energy vampires” because of the amount of electricity they draw at all hours of the day and night. All together, these devices can increase an energy bill by 10% or more.

The obvious way to deal with an energy vampire is to simply unplug it, but this can be a nuisance, especially if the plug it behind a piece of furniture or another hard-to-reach place. Using power strips can make this easier. You can switch off the entire switch to power down all devices connected to it. There are also power strips that you can remotely control, and there are smart power strips that can cut power to devices that don’t require it while maintaining power to devices that do.

4. Manage sunlight to your advantage.

When the temperature drops, use the sun to keep the chill at bay. Open your curtains to invite direct sunlight to warm your home. Arrange your home so that your workspace is near a window. You’ll feel warmer in the sun, and the natural light will eliminate the need for energy-consuming artificial light.

In the summer, use light-colored curtains to reflect the hot sun. This will keep your home cooler, but the light curtains will still allow in enough light to work by.

5. Properly maintain your appliances.

A poorly maintained appliance is an inefficient one. If your refrigerator’s evaporative coils are choked with dust, the machine needs to work harder to maintain a cool temperature. Dirty, clogged filters significantly impair your air conditioner’s ability to cool your home.

Maintenance is critical. Keep a schedule to ensure you’re attending to all your home appliances and systems weekly, monthly, or seasonally, as appropriate.

6. Install a smart thermostat.

Smart thermostats have remarkable energy-saving potential. These devices are programmable and adapt to your daily routine, heating or cooling your home to an appropriate temperature only when necessary. Studies have that shown smart thermostats can cut energy use by up to 15%.

7. Lower temperature of your water heater.

Water heaters can be a big drain on energy. If the heater’s thermostat is set too high, the system consumes excess energy to heat water to scalding temperatures that no person would use. A water heater should usually be set between 120 and 140 degrees. Anything higher than 150 degrees can be quite dangerous.

Consider that the insulation of your plumbing is a factor as well. If your pipes are poorly insulated and the water heater is set too low, your water will be lukewarm or cool by the time it reaches your shower. Consider trying a few different temperature settings to find the right setting for your home.

8. Invest in energy-efficient appliances.

Modern appliances consumer much less energy than their older counterparts. Consider investing in new appliances as your budget allows. Look for machines with the “Energy Star” branding.

9. Seal air leaks.

Air leaks make it harder to maintain a consistent home temperature. Look for small gaps near doors and windows, recessed lighting, baseboards, outlets, and access panels. Use caulk to seal up the gaps and eliminate drafts.

10. Use your grill.

Ovens and cooktops generate a lot of heat. That’s great on a cold winter day, but it’s not ideal in the summer. When your air conditioning is running, avoid cooking indoors. Plan meals that don’t require high heat or use an outdoor grill.

Additional Savings

If you take advantage of a variety of electrical energy conservation opportunities, you’ll see marked reductions in your monthly energy bill. You’ll also extend the lifespan of your home equipment and reduce the likelihood of a costly breakdown.

But if a breakdown does nevertheless occur, Liberty Home Guard has you covered. You stand to save even more money with a home warranty. Reach out to our team for a free quote by calling (866)-834-5570.