Replace any light bulb, especially ones that are on more than one hour per day, with a light-emitting diode (LED) bulb.  

Ensure window A/C units are weather-stripped. Remove the unit in the winter and close and lock the window.

Turn large-screen TVs off completely when not in use.

Set thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in summer, 68 degrees Fahrenheit in winter.

Keep fireplace dampers closed unless a fire is burning.

Verify livestock water tank heaters are off when not needed.

Check that the dryer vent hose is tightly connected to dryer.

Ensure your outdoor heat pump/air conditioning unit is kept clean and free of debris.

Keep your garage door down.  A warmer garage in the winter and cooler garage in the summer will save energy.

Make sure drapes and shades are open during the day to catch free solar heat in winter.

Use microwave for cooking when possible.

Turn off unnecessary lighting.

Make sure outside soffit vents are not blocked.

Have your HVAC system serviced once per year by a NATE-certified technician.

Check for energy saving settings on flat-panel TVs like automatic brightness control and a power saving sleep mode.  

Check to be sure return air grilles are not blocked by furniture or bookcases.

If you are heating water on the stove, use hot tap water instead of cold.

Make sure dryer vent hose is not kinked or clogged.

Use bath towels at least twice before washing them.

Set the refrigerator temperature to 34 – 37 degrees Fahrenheit and freezer temperature to 0 – 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Verify dryer vent hose is tightly connected to the inside wall fitting.

Drain 1-2 gallons from bottom of water heater each year to reduce sediment build up.

Turn off pool pumps and heaters when not needed.

Insulate exposed hot water lines.

If you must do smaller loads, adjust the water level in the washing machine to match the load size, especially when using hot water.

Outside your home, caulk around all penetrations including telephone, electrical, cable, gas, water spigots, dryer vents, etc.

When using the fireplace, turn down your heating system thermostat.

Wash clothes in cold water. Use hot water only for very dirty loads.

Use refrigerator’s anti-sweat feature only if necessary.

Ensure refrigerator door seals are tight.

If not frost-free, regularly defrost refrigerator or freezer to avoid ice buildup.

Turn off stereos and radios when not in use.

Run ceiling paddle fans on medium, blowing down in summer and paddle fans on low, blowing up in winter.

Caulk around storm windows and basement windows.

Use dishwasher’s air-dry cycle instead of the heat-dry cycle to dry dishes.

Turn off coffee makers when not in use.

Ensure floor registers are not blocked with rugs, drapes or furniture.

Monitor your home’s relative humidity in the summer.  If it consistently stays in the 60 percent range or higher, ask your HVAC technician about lowering your central air conditioning unit’s indoor fan speed.

Make sure electric blankets are turned off in the morning.

Always use cold-water rinse.

Install a water heater wrap, also known as a water heater blanket, per manufacturer’s instructions.

Close shades and drapes at night to keep heat in during the winter.

Turn computers and monitors off when not in use.

When installing new air filters, make sure they are facing in the correct direction (look for arrow on side of filter).

Set water heater temperature no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Unplug battery chargers when not needed.

Do not close supply air registers.

If rinsing dirty dishes before putting them into the dishwasher, do so with cold water.  

Switch your refrigerator’s power-saver feature to “ON,” if available.

Caulk along baseboards with a clear sealant.

Plant trees and shrubs to provide shade on the east, south and west sides of your home. Evergreen trees and shrubs can provide a windbreak on the north side.

Request an ENERGY STAR® set-top box from cable or satellite provider.

Install a programmable thermostat to save even more.

For households with 1 or 2 members, a 115 degree Fahrenheit setting may work fine.  

Make sure the dryer’s outdoor exhaust door is not blocked or clogged.

Clean dryer’s lint trap before each load.

If you don’t unplug them, use energy-saving modes or automatic sleep functions on electronics.

Only do full laundry loads.

Ensure all new appliances, electronics and lights are ENERGY STAR® labeled.

Remember to use the kitchen exhaust fan when cooking.  Turn it off after cooking.

In hot weather, avoid running the dryer during the heat of the day.

When cooking on the oven range, use pot lids to help food cook faster.  

Install water saving shower heads.

When buying a new computer, select an ENERGY STAR® model.  Consider buying a laptop as it uses less energy than a comparable desktop.  

Caulk electrical wire penetrations at the top of the interior walls in the attic.

Use outdoor security lights with a photocell and/or a motion sensor.

Make sure heat tape is off when not needed.

Keep “fresh-air” vents on window A/C units closed.

Install heat traps on hot and cold water lines when it’s time to replace your water heater.

Remove and clean window A/C filter monthly.

Make sure insulation in your attic does not block soffit vents.

When using the fireplace, open the outside air vent (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly.

Turn off ceiling fans when leaving the room. Fans cool people, not rooms.

Clean refrigerator coils annually.

When heating or cooling, keep windows shut and locked.

Fix dripping faucets.

Minimize clothes drying time by using an auto moisture sensor, if available.

Replace outdoor lighting with its equivalent outdoor-rated LED bulb. LEDs work well in cold weather.  

Dry consecutive loads to harvest heat remaining in dryer from last load.

Do not close off unused rooms that are conditioned by forced-air systems.

Change HVAC air filters monthly.

Use fixtures with electronic ballasts and T-8, 32 Watt fluorescent lamps.

Plug electronic devices such as cable boxes, printers and TVs into power strips to turn off during vacations or long periods without use.

Only run dishwasher when fully loaded.  

Do not use roof-top power ventilators for attic exhaust as they may draw conditioned air from your home.

Caulk around plumbing penetrations that come through walls beneath bathroom and kitchen sinks.

Minimize use of electric space heaters, except for limited or temporary spot heating.  Turn space heaters off when leaving the room.

Limit shower length to 5-7 minutes.

Turn off bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans 15 minutes after the job is complete or install 15 minute timers on bathroom ventilator fans.

Ensure windows and doors are properly weather-stripped and use door sweeps.

Use cold water for garbage disposal.

Consider using a “solar-powered” clothes dryer: an old fashioned clothes line.

Use a slow-cooker instead of simmering foods on the stove.

Enable auto power down feature on gaming consoles.  

Unplug unused refrigerators or freezers. Recycle them if you do not need them.

Don’t let the water run while you are shaving or brushing your teeth.

Seal electric wall outlets and wall switches with foam pads.

Use heavy-duty, clear sheets of plastic sealed tightly on the inside of windows to reduce the amount of cold air entering your home during the winter.

Close shades and drapes during the day to help keep heat out in summer.

Ensure attic access door closes tightly and is insulated.