Ways to Save & Conserve Energy

Tips

Saving energy can help lower your utility bills. Here are some helpful tips to conserve energy and not be wasteful of electricity.

Unplug Appliances

Unplug appliances when not in use. Many household devices continue to draw a small amount of power when they are turned off. These "phantom" loads occur in most appliances that use electricity such as:

  • Computers
  • Kitchen Appliances
  • Game Consoles/DVD Players
  • Stereos
  • Televisions

In the average home, according to the Department of Energy (DOE), 5% to 8% of your total energy consumption comes from this standby power used while the products are turned off. 

This can be avoided by unplugging the device, using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to turn off all power to the device, using smart plugs that have auto-energy-saving mode(s) for nighttime/away from home  when not in use, or by using ENERGY STAR®  products when possible.  Many of these products use lower standby power than comparable products that are not ENERGY STAR®  certified, or marked as energy-efficient.

Other Appliance Tips

  • Make sure your refrigerator door closes tightly and keep the condenser coils clean. A door leak allows cool air to escape, forcing your refrigerator to use more energy to keep food cold.
  • Check the temperature settings for the most efficient appliance operations. Refrigerators should be set between 34 to 37 degrees and freezers should be at 5 degrees. Check your manual for specific recommendations.
  • Running your dishwasher or washing machine only when it’s full can save water and energy. A half filled dishwasher or washing machine can cost twice as much as running a full load.
  • Wash clothes in cold water to save on the cost of heating water. Except for heavily soiled or all-white loads, there is little benefit to washing in hot water.
  • Use bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans only as long as necessary. In just an hour you can lose all the heated (or cooled) air in your home through an exhaust fan.
  • Tightly close your fireplace damper when the fireplace isn’t in use.
  • Turn off lights and equipment when not needed.

Seasonal Tips

Here are some tips for hot weather days and cold weather days to improve your energy efficiency at home!

  1. summer
  2. winter

Tips for Hot Weather

  • During the summer you can save on cooling costs by keeping your thermostat (or air conditioner) at the highest temperature comfortable. Depending on the size of your home, you can save 3% on cooling for every degree you raise your thermostat in the summer.
  • Lower window coverings to keep heat out during hot weather.

Additional Tips

For more Fall and Winter Energy Saving Tips, check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) consumer resources and for Spring and Summer Energy Saving Tips from the DOE, visit Spring and Summer Energy-Saving Tips.  For even more ways to keep your home "comfortable, safe, durable, and efficient", check out the Home Energy Guide from the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Documents

Energy Yard Stick - DIY Home Energy Assessment

Getting a handle on your home’s energy use is an important first step to improving efficiency. You can do a simple assessment yourself using ENERGY STAR online tools:

Also, if you have five minutes and your last 12 months of utility bills, use the Home Energy Yardstick to compare your home’s energy use to similar homes across the country and see how your home measures up.