In the cooler months, take advantage of the sun’s heat by opening window coverings. In the warmer months, close window coverings to keep the hot sun out.

Use caulk and weather stripping around drafty doors and windows to prevent air from escaping your home, causing your heating and cooling system to work harder.

Have your heating and cooling system tuned up regularly and change your furnace filters monthly, or per manufacturer’s guidelines. If you heat your home with warm-air registers, baseboard heaters or radiators, remember to clean them regularly to increase efficiency.

Adjusting the temperature in your home by five to eight degrees (down in winter, up in summer) can help save energy if you’re going to be away from home for several hours or when you go to sleep at night. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to maximize energy savings when you are home, asleep or away.

Turn off lights, electronics and fans when you leave a room. Don’t let “energy vampires” suck up your monthly bill.

Set water heater temperature no higher than 120 degrees and insulate exposed hot water lines. If you have an electric water heater, consider putting it on our Energy Wise® Load Management Program.

Switching to energy-efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills. By replacing your home’s five most frequently-used light fixtures or bulbs with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR®, you can save up to $75 each year.