These energy conservation tips give you a place to start when the utility bill comes in and you want to do something about it. Walk through the house first, then pick changes you can repeat.
Walk through your home
Feel for drafts around doors and operable windows. Make a note of rooms that are too hot or cold and check whether vents are blocked. If there are signs of moisture or combustion problems, bring in a qualified professional before sealing or modifying the area.
Start with three manageable changes
Switch off lights in empty rooms, replace an inefficient high-use bulb with an LED, and check whether your thermostat schedule matches when people are home. If you rent, ask your landlord before changing fixtures or equipment.
Check the results
Write down actual energy usage from your latest bill and compare it with a similar period after the changes. Weather and household schedules matter, so watch the pattern over time. Put any recurring comfort problem on a list for a home energy assessment.
Put these energy conservation tips on a weekend list
Use a single sheet of paper with three columns for the room, what you noticed, and the next step. Work from the rooms you use most toward the ones you rarely enter. Write down easy changes separately from anything that needs permission, an estimate, or a professional assessment.
Compare your home energy usage
Pick one regular billing date to review usage. Save the old statement or record its usage figure. If weather, visitors, or your work schedule changed, note it beside the number. After a few periods, revisit your list and decide whether the next step is a household habit, a repair, or an energy assessment.
For more detail, see the U.S. Department of Energy’s energy-saving guidance. Also see Energy Conservation: Why It’s So Important for another part of this series.