50 Simple Ways to Save Energy at Home (and Lower Your Bills)
Using less energy is the greenest choice of all, and it saves money every month. You don’t need solar panels to start: more than half of the 50 tips below cost nothing. Begin where most homes use the most energy, heating, cooling and hot water, then work through the kitchen, laundry, lights and electronics.
Key takeaways
- Heating and cooling usually use the most energy in a home, followed by hot water.
- Sealing drafts and adjusting the thermostat are the cheapest quick wins.
- More than 25 of these tips are free habits you can start today.
- Be wary of plug-in gadgets that promise to cut your bill by 80–90%. They don’t work.
In this guide
1. Where your energy goes
In most homes, heating and cooling use the most energy, followed by hot water, appliances and lighting. Start where the biggest savings are.
Illustrative only. Your mix depends on your climate, home and appliances.
2. A 20-minute home energy check
Walk around your home with this list. Write down your average monthly bill first, so you can compare it after 30 days.
- Feel for drafts around doors and windows.
- Check the depth of your attic or loft insulation.
- Note any old incandescent bulbs.
- Read the water heater temperature setting.
- Test the fridge door seal: close it on a sheet of paper. If it slides out easily, the seal is worn.
- Find devices left glowing on standby.
- Check the age of your heating and cooling system.
How to read your energy bill
- Usage (kWh or units): how much energy you used. This is the number to bring down.
- Rate: the price per unit. Ask about cheaper plans or off-peak times.
- Fixed or standing charge: what you pay regardless of use.
- Compare like with like: look at the same month last year, not just last month.
3. Energy-smart settings to try
| Season | Comfortable, energy-smart settings |
|---|---|
| Winter | Heating around 18–20°C (64–68°F) when home; lower at night and when out |
| Summer | Cooling around 24–26°C (75–78°F) when home, with fans to feel cooler |
| Away | Set the thermostat back, or use “eco” or “away” mode |
| Water heater | About 50°C (120°F) is enough for most households |
| Fridge & freezer | 3–4°C (37–40°F) and -18°C (0°F) |
4. 50 ways to save energy, room by room
Labels show the cost: Free Low cost Upgrade
🌡️ Heating & cooling
- Lower the heating thermostat by 1–2°C (2–4°F) Free
- Raise the cooling setting a few degrees in summer Free
- Heat and cool only the rooms you use Free
- Use ceiling or table fans before the AC Free
- Close curtains on hot days; open them on sunny winter days Free
- Wear warm layers at home in winter Free
- Clean or replace AC and furnace filters regularly Low cost
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat Upgrade
🚪 Drafts & insulation
- Keep doors and windows closed when heating or cooling Free
- Keep vents and radiators clear of furniture Free
- Close the fireplace damper when not in use Free
- Seal window and door gaps with weatherstripping Low cost
- Add draft stoppers under doors Low cost
- Use thermal or heavy curtains Low cost
- Seal gaps around pipes and cables with caulk Low cost
- Top up attic or loft insulation Upgrade
🚿 Hot water
- Take shorter showers Free
- Set the water heater to about 50°C (120°F) Free
- Fix dripping hot water taps Low cost
- Install a low-flow showerhead Low cost
- Insulate exposed hot water pipes Low cost
- Consider a heat pump or solar water heater when replacing Upgrade
👕 Laundry
- Wash clothes in cold water Free
- Run only full loads Free
- Air-dry clothes whenever you can Free
- Clean the dryer lint filter every load Free
- Use the high-spin setting to cut drying time Free
- Choose an energy-efficient washer when replacing Upgrade
🍳 Kitchen
- Put lids on pots and pans Free
- Match the pan size to the burner Free
- Use a microwave, kettle or air fryer for small jobs Free
- Run the dishwasher only when full, and skip heated drying Free
- Keep the fridge at 3–4°C (37–40°F) and the freezer at -18°C (0°F) Free
- Defrost the freezer and clean the fridge coils Free
💡 Lighting
- Switch off lights when leaving a room Free
- Use daylight: open blinds and work near windows Free
- Replace old bulbs with LEDs Low cost
- Use task lamps instead of lighting the whole room Low cost
- Add timers or motion sensors to outdoor lights Low cost
- Choose solar garden lights Low cost
🔌 Electronics
- Turn devices fully off, not just on standby Free
- Unplug chargers when not in use Free
- Enable power-saving modes on TVs and computers Free
- Use a laptop rather than a desktop when you can Free
- Use smart power strips to cut standby power Low cost
📈 Smart habits
- Read your meter weekly to track progress Free
- Ask your supplier about cheaper off-peak rates Free
- Check for government or utility energy rebates Free
- Look for efficiency labels when buying appliances Free
- Make energy saving a family game with a monthly goal Free
Get the free printable checklist
All 50 tips with tick boxes, the home energy check, the settings table and the 30-day plan on 7 printable pages. Stick it on the fridge. No email needed.
Download the free PDF →5. Green upgrades worth considering
Once the free and low-cost tips are in place, bigger upgrades can cut energy use further. Get several quotes, check for rebates, and work out the payback time before you buy.
| Upgrade | What it does | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| LED lighting | Uses far less electricity than old bulbs | Cheap, fast payback |
| Smart thermostat | Heats and cools only when needed | Best if your schedule is regular |
| Insulation | Keeps heat in during winter and out in summer | Often one of the best-value upgrades |
| Heat pump | Efficient electric heating and cooling | Higher upfront cost; rebates may help |
| Solar panels | Generates your own electricity | Depends on roof, sun and local rules; get quotes |
6. Your 30-day energy-saving plan
- Do the 20-minute home energy check
- Adjust thermostat and water heater settings
- Seal drafts
- Switch to LEDs
- Set up power strips
- Change laundry and kitchen habits
- Get the whole family involved
- Compare your meter readings
- Plan one bigger upgrade
Common questions
What uses the most energy in a home?
In most homes, heating and cooling use the most, followed by water heating. That’s why thermostat settings, draft sealing and insulation usually make the biggest difference.
Does unplugging devices really save energy?
A little. Devices on standby draw small amounts of power around the clock. Switching groups of them off at a power strip each night is an easy, free habit.
Is it cheaper to leave the heating or AC on all day?
Usually not. Setting the thermostat back when you’re out or asleep generally uses less energy than keeping the same temperature all day.
What temperature should my water heater be?
About 50°C (120°F) is enough for most households, and it reduces scalding risk and heat loss. Some households may need a higher setting for specific reasons, so check your heater’s manual.
Do “energy saver” plug-in devices work?
No. Gadgets that claim to cut bills by 80–90% just by plugging them in don’t work. Proven savings come from habits, sealing drafts, insulation and efficient appliances.
Is your home ready if the power goes out?
An efficient home is also easier to keep running during an outage. Get our free printable 72-Hour Power Outage Checklist, or try The Resilient Home’s free 7-Day Household Readiness Assessment, which takes 4–6 minutes and needs no email to start.
Sources
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Disclosure: The readiness assessment link is an affiliate link. The assessment is free; if you later buy their optional plan, MyInfoLabs may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Savings vary by home, climate and energy prices. Follow local safety codes and use qualified installers. See our disclaimer.