Throughout the house

• Replace 20 standard incandescent light bulbs in your house with ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), and you could save up to $100 a year. That’s because CFLs use about two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard bulbs. Be sure to dispose of CFLs properly. Click here for information on proper disposal of CFLs.
• Use ceiling and other fans to circulate air. A fan creates a breeze that can make you feel as much as 7 degrees cooler and costs only about $2 a month to run.
• Plug computers, printers and other electronic equipment into power strips. This makes it easy to turn them off when not in use.
• Add R-49 insulation to your attic (if needed) to keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms

• Run your dishwasher and clothes dryer (full loads only) in the early morning hours to avoid adding heat to your house during the warmest hours of the day. And use the air-dry cycle on your dishwasher, especially in summer months.
• Use your stove less, especially the oven, during hot weather.
• When it's time to replace old appliances and electronics, purchase ENERGY STAR qualified models. For more information, visit www.energystar.gov .
• Keep in mind that the water heater accounts for about 13 percent of a typical home’s energy bill—that’s the highest single use after heating and cooling. So any step you can take to use less hot water will save you money.
• Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and reduce annual energy costs by 3 percent. If you’re going to be away from home for an extended period, be sure to set the water heater on the lowest possible temperature, which on some newer units reads “vacation.”
• Cover your water heater with a specially designed insulated jacket to help hold the heat.
• Open the drain valve located on the bottom of the water heater every 6 months. Drain the water until it runs clear (about 5 to 6 gallons). This will eliminate sediment, which will improve the water heater’s efficiency as well as help extend its service life.

Air conditioning and cooling season

• Turn your air conditioner thermostat to a higher setting. For every degree you turn up your thermostat, you can cut your electricity usage by up to 3 percent.
• Close drapes, blinds and shades on the sunny sides of your home during the day in summer to keep the sun’s heat out, so your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard.
• Clean or replace air conditioner filters once a month. A clogged filter uses up to 5 percent more energy than a clean one.
• Cool only the rooms you use. But don’t close off too many vents or you’ll reduce your air conditioner’s operating efficiency.
• Install a programmable thermostat and set it to raise the air conditioner setting when your family is away during the day.
• Consider buying (if needed) and installing a high-efficiency central air conditioning unit with a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 14 or higher, which is 40 percent more efficient than a SEER 10 unit.
• If you need a window air conditioner, consider buying a unit with an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 10 or higher to cut energy use by up to 50 percent.

Furnace and heating season

• Hire a heating system professional to inspect and clean your furnace annually so it operates at peak efficiency—and safely.
• Seal duct work with mastic sealant or metal tape (never duct tape) to see noticeable
  reductions in energy consumption, as well as improved room comfort. See the ENERGY STAR Web site (www.energystar.gov ) for detailed information.
• You can seal most air leaks (around windows, door frames, etc.) with inexpensive silicone caulk. Around doors, use metal weather stripping with a vinyl backing—recommended for its durability and flexibility. To reduce air infiltration through outside wall electric outlets, install thin foam gaskets.
• Set the thermostat a little lower during the winter. For each degree lower, you can save up to 3 percent on heating costs.
• Use a programmable thermostat to help reduce heating costs. Set it to lower the temperature automatically when your family is sleeping or away.
• Keep a proper humidity level in your home to make it feel more comfortable at a lower temperature. Use a humidifier or try using these economical methods: Leave the bathroom door open after showering or leave exhaust fans off when boiling liquids.
• On bright days, open blinds, shades or draperies on the sunny side of your house to let in solar heat. Close them as the sun starts to set to help keep heat from escaping.
• Use circulating fans, especially ceiling fans, to circulate warm air. Set the switch of the fan to the counterclockwise position, making the fan push warm air down.
• When not in use, close your fireplace or wood-burning stove damper to prevent costly heat loss.