No matter what time of year it is, it’s always a good time to be thinking about home energy efficiency. Not only can energy efficiency help preserve the earth’s energy resources, it can keep you comfortable, and save you money. Here’s a list of 10 simple yet effective ways for you to conserve energy and save money all year long.

  1. In the summer, keep doors, windows and shades closed during the day to reduce unwanted heat from coming in.
  2. In the winter, open blinds and drapes to let the sun warm your space.
  3. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature to your schedul
    • If you do have to manually change the thermostat, do it in small degree changes – cranking it up or down will only put strain on your system, ultimately costing you more.
  4. Wash your clothes in cold water – about 90% of the energy used by washing machines goes to heating the water. Also, be sure to only do laundry when you have enough for a full load.
  5. Use high efficiency lightbulbs.
  6. Turn off lights when they’re not in use (this could save up to 15% on your electricity bill).
  7. Be sure you’re using appliances efficiently. Make sure you’re getting the appropriate size appliances for your home and be sure to maintain them regularly (clean them, change filters, seal ducts, etc.).
  8. Replace old windows with energy efficient windows to ensure you keep outside air out and inside air in.
  9. Put the equity in your home to work for you! A GSCU equity can help pay for home energy efficiency improvements. For projects that might take a while, an equity line might be the right fit – you only pay interest on the amount you use but if it’s a large, one-time purchase, then an equity loan could do the trick because you take out a loan for what you need and start repaying it immediately. Check out our rates here.
  10. Most electric companies will do energy audits of your home to see if you’re using unnecessary electricity.  

Saving energy and money can be easy with a little extra time and effort. Have other home energy efficiency tips and tricks to share? Comment below!