Saving energy is not just about getting solar panels or high-tech smart home gadgets. The biggest impact often comes from simple everyday habits. By making small changes in how you use energy, you can cut your electricity bills, shrink your carbon footprint, and make your home more comfortable.
This guide shares easy, science-backed tips to help you use less energy without spending a lot of money or making big lifestyle changes. These ideas come from energy experts, environmental scientists, and real-life examples of families who have successfully reduced their energy use.
Key Takeaways
- Adjusting your thermostat, using fans wisely, and optimizing natural heating and cooling can reduce heating and cooling costs.
- Washing clothes in cold water, running full dishwasher loads, and unplugging devices help lower energy consumption.
- Regular HVAC upkeep, energy audits, and tracking energy use prevent waste and extend appliance life.
How Your Home Uses Energy: A Breakdown of Energy Consumption
Before looking at specific energy-saving habits, it helps to know where most of your home’s energy goes. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2020, the average U.S. household’s electricity consumption was approximately 10,715 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year. The primary uses of this electricity were:
- Air conditioning: 19%
- Space heating: 12%
- Water heating: 12%
This helps you focus on the changes that matter most. Let’s look at simple daily habits for each category.
Heating and Cooling Habits That Make a Difference
Heating and cooling account for more than half of the energy used in U.S. homes. This means that changing how we heat and cool our homes can lead to significant energy savings.
1. Master Your Thermostat Settings
The simplest yet most effective energy-saving habit is proper thermostat management. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% annually on heating and cooling costs by turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.
In practice:
- Winter: Set your thermostat to 68°F when you are awake and lower when you are asleep or away
- Summer: Set your thermostat to 78°F when you are home and higher when you are away
- Consider a programmable or smart thermostat that automatically adjusts temperatures
A case study from Energy Star found that households using programmable thermostats properly saved an average of $180 per year on energy costs.
2. Use Fans Strategically
Fans typically use much less electricity than air conditioners. A standard ceiling fan uses about 30-60 watts of power, while a central air conditioner can use between 1,500 to 5,000 watts, depending on the system’s size and efficiency.
Using ceiling fans can help improve comfort by allowing you to raise your thermostat setting by around 4°F without feeling warmer. This can lead to significant energy savings, as you are relying on the fan to circulate air instead of using the air conditioner.
Remember these fan basics:
- In summer, set ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise to create a cooling downdraft
- In winter, reverse fan direction to clockwise at a low speed to gently circulate warm air
- Turn off fans when leaving rooms—fans cool people, not spaces
3. Optimize Natural Heating and Cooling
Working with nature rather than against it can dramatically reduce energy needs. Approximately, 30% of energy loss from heating and cooling systems comes from a building’s windows.
Daily window habits:
- Open windows during cool mornings and evenings in summer
- Close windows and blinds during peak heat hours
- In winter, open south-facing curtains during the day to capture solar heat
- Close all curtains at night to retain heat
Water Heating Efficiency Habits
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating typically accounts for about 18% of a home’s total energy use. Water heating is the second-largest energy expense in most households, after heating and cooling. This can vary slightly depending on the size of the household and the type of water heating system used.
4. Master the Art of Efficient Showering
A 10-minute shower with a standard showerhead uses approximately 25 gallons of water. Reducing shower time and temperature creates compounding energy savings.
Daily shower habits:
- Take shorter showers (aim for 5 minutes)
- Install low-flow showerheads (less than 2.0 GPM)
- Reduce your water heater temperature to 120°F
- Consider cold or lukewarm showers when possible
5. Optimize Laundry Routines
Washing machines consume significant energy, primarily in heating water. The Alliance to Save Energy reports that washing clothes in cold water can reduce energy use by up to 90% compared to using hot water.
Energy-saving laundry habits:
- Wash full loads only
- Use cold water for most loads
- Air-dry clothes when possible
- Clean lint filters after each dryer use
- Run consecutive dryer loads to take advantage of retained heat
A household doing 5 loads of laundry weekly in cold water instead of hot can save approximately $60-$100 annually. For more eco-friendly laundry tips, check out our guide on eco-friendly ways to do laundry.
Smart Appliance Usage Habits
Energy-efficient appliances represent about 13% of household energy consumption, but their impact varies dramatically based on how we use them.
6. Refrigerator and Freezer Efficiency
Your refrigerator runs 24/7, making it one of the biggest energy consumers in your home. Simple daily habits can optimize its efficiency:
Refrigerator best practices:
- Keep refrigerators at 35-38°F and freezers at 0°F
- Allow hot foods to cool before refrigerating
- Keep refrigerators and freezers 2/3 to 3/4 full for optimal efficiency
- Clean coils twice yearly
- Check door seals regularly
7. Cook With Energy Efficiency in Mind
Kitchen habits can significantly impact energy consumption. The EPA estimates that microwave cooking uses about 80% less energy than conventional ovens.
Energy-efficient cooking habits:
- Match pot size to burner size
- Use lids to retain heat
- Batch cook when possible
- Use smaller appliances (microwaves, toaster ovens, pressure cookers) for smaller meals
- Defrost frozen foods in the refrigerator rather than using a microwave
8. Load Dishwashers Strategically
Modern dishwashers typically use less water and energy than hand-washing, but only when used efficiently. ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers use less than 4 gallons per cycle, while hand-washing can use up to 27 gallons.
Dishwasher efficiency habits:
- Run only full loads
- Skip pre-rinsing dishes (scrape instead)
- Use energy-saving settings
- Air-dry dishes instead of using the heat-dry setting
Lighting and Electronics Energy Habits
While lighting only accounts for about 15% of home energy use, it is one of the easiest areas to improve through daily habits.
9. Master Lighting Efficiency
The simplest energy-saving habit—turning off lights when leaving a room—can reduce lighting energy use.
Daily lighting habits:
- Use natural light whenever possible
- Turn off lights when not in use
- Use task lighting rather than whole-room lighting
- Replace bulbs with LEDs
A typical household transitioning entirely to LED lighting can save about $225 in energy costs annually.
10. Combat Phantom Power
Standby power, often called “phantom” or “vampire” power, accounts for 5-10% of residential electricity use. A study by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that the average U.S. home has 65 devices constantly drawing power, costing households about $165 per year.
Habits to reduce phantom power:
- Unplug chargers when not in use
- Use smart power strips for electronics clusters and switch them off
- Enable sleep/power-saving modes on all devices
- Unplug rarely-used appliances
Home Maintenance Habits for Long-Term Efficiency
Regular maintenance prevents energy waste and extends the life of your systems and appliances.
11. Establish HVAC Maintenance Routines
Regular HVAC maintenance can significantly enhance system efficiency. For instance, sealing and insulating ducts can improve heating and cooling efficiency by up to 20%. Also, addressing airflow problems—such as cleaning and adjusting blower components—can reduce system inefficiency by up to 15%. While some tasks require professionals, many maintenance activities can become regular habits:
HVAC maintenance habits:
- Replace air filters every 1-3 months
- Keep outdoor units clear of debris
- Clean air vents and registers regularly
- Schedule professional maintenance seasonally
12. Practice Regular Appliance Maintenance
Small maintenance habits extend appliance life and maintain efficiency:
Appliance maintenance habits:
- Clean refrigerator coils quarterly
- Empty vacuum bags/containers when half-full
- Descale coffee makers and kettles monthly
- Clean dryer vents and ducts annually
Building Better Energy Awareness Habits
Perhaps the most important energy efficiency habits involve developing greater awareness of consumption patterns.
13. Monitor Your Energy Usage
Research from Oxford University shows that using an energy monitor can help households reduce their electricity use by 5-15%. Many utilities now offer free energy monitoring tools through their websites or apps.
Energy monitoring habits:
- Check your utility’s online dashboard weekly
- Track energy use after implementing new habits
- Identify energy usage patterns and unexpected spikes
- Consider a home energy monitor for real-time feedback
14. Conduct Regular Energy Audits
While professional energy audits provide the most comprehensive assessment, DIY energy audits can become a seasonal habit:
DIY energy audit habits:
- Check for air leaks around windows and doors quarterly
- Inspect insulation in accessible areas annually
- Test windows and doors for drafts when seasons change
- Check water fixtures for leaks monthly
15. Switch to Renewable Energy Sources
If possible, switch to solar power to further improve your home’s energy efficiency. Installing solar panels can lead to significant long-term savings by reducing dependence on the grid.
- Use solar-powered outdoor lights to illuminate pathways and gardens.
- Consider installing solar water heaters for hot water needs.
- Look into community solar programs if installing panels is not feasible.
16. Create Family Energy Awareness
Research shows that households where all members participate in energy conservation achieve significantly better results.
Family energy awareness habits:
- Establish family energy rules (like turning off lights)
- Make energy conservation fun through challenges or games
- Share energy bill savings with family members
- Teach children about energy use from an early age
Creating Your Personal Energy Efficiency Routine
The most energy-efficient homes use these habits as part of everyday life. Here are some ideas to try:
- Start with high-impact habits first (thermostat management, phantom power reduction)
- Connect new habits to existing routines (checking thermostat settings before bed)
- Use visual reminders until habits become automatic
- Track results to maintain motivation
- Add new habits gradually rather than attempting all changes at once
Wrapping Up
Being energy-efficient does not mean making huge lifestyle changes or spending a lot of money on home improvements. The best way to save energy is by using small, simple habits every day. These habits add up over time and change the way you use energy. Start with the biggest areas—heating and cooling, water heating, and big appliances—and you can save a lot with little effort.
The great thing about energy-efficient habits is that they give you many benefits: lower bills, a smaller environmental impact, and a more comfortable home. Try starting with one or two habits from this guide and slowly build an energy-efficient lifestyle that fits your household.
Remember, the goal is not to be perfectly energy-efficient—it is about making steady improvements. Every habit you adopt helps you save money and also helps the planet. For more comprehensive energy-saving strategies, check out our guide on slashing your energy bills.