Energy saving tips
Small changes that lower your energy bills.
Much of the energy a typical household pays for is wasted. These simple, mostly free steps can help keep your home comfortable and your gas and electric bills down, all year long.
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6 free things you can do today
1
Turn the heat down at night and when you’re away. Each degree lower can save around 3%.
2
Let the sun in. Open south-facing curtains during the day and close them at night.
3
Block door drafts with a rolled towel or rug along the bottom of the door.
4
Wash clothes in cold water and only run full loads.
5
Unplug chargers and electronics you aren’t using. Many draw power even when off.
6
Keep vents clear of furniture, rugs and curtains so heat can reach the room.
Tips by topic
Save energy around the house
Heating & Thermostat
- Set the heat to 65–68°F during the day and 55–62°F at night, with extra blankets.
- Don’t crank the heat up when you get home. It doesn’t warm the house any faster.
- A programmable or smart thermostat can lower the heat for you automatically.
- Change your furnace filter every 1–3 months during heating season.
- Close vents and doors in rooms you don’t use.
- Run ceiling fans on low, clockwise, to push warm air back down.
Windows & Doors
- Put plastic window insulation kits on drafty windows for the winter.
- Use removable rope caulk on window gaps, or tube caulk to seal for good.
- Add a door sweep and weather stripping to outside doors.
- Hang heavy or insulated curtains and close them at night.
- Seal gaps around outlets on outside walls with inexpensive foam gaskets.
- Open and close outside doors quickly in cold weather.
Hot water & Laundry
- Set your water heater to 120°F (often the “warm” or “normal” setting).
- Take shorter showers, and install a low-flow showerhead.
- Fix dripping faucets, especially hot water ones.
- Wash in cold water and only run full loads.
- Clean the dryer lint screen every load, and air-dry when you can.
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
Kitchen & Fridge
- Match the burner to the pan size, and keep lids on pots.
- Run the dishwasher only when it’s full, and scrape dishes instead of rinsing.
- Clean refrigerator coils every 6 months.
- Check the fridge door seal: if a dollar bill slides out easily, the gasket needs replacing.
- An old second fridge in the basement or garage can use a lot of power. Unplug it if you can.
Lights & electronics
- Switch to LED bulbs. They use far less electricity and last for years.
- Start with the lights you use most, like the kitchen and living room.
- Turn off lights and fans when you leave a room.
- Plug the TV and game system into a power strip, and switch it off at night.
- Unplug phone chargers when you aren’t charging.
- Look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying appliances.
Staying cool in summer
- Close blinds and curtains on sunny windows during the day.
- Set the air conditioner a few degrees higher, and use a fan to feel cooler.
- Run ceiling fans counter-clockwise for a cooling breeze.
- Clean or replace your AC filter monthly in summer.
- Cook outside or use the microwave on hot days to keep heat out of the house.
- Open windows on cool nights instead of running the AC.
Stay Safe
Saving energy safely
Never put yourself or your family at risk to save on heating. If your heat isn’t working, call us. Emergency furnace help may be available through LIHEAP.
Never use your oven or stove to heat your home. It can cause fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Use space heaters carefully. Keep them 3 feet from anything that can burn, plug them straight into the wall, and turn them off when you leave or go to sleep.
Have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor and near bedrooms. Test them monthly and change batteries when you change your clocks.
Smell gas? Leave the house right away, then call Nicor Gas at (888) 642-6748 or 911 from outside. Natural Gas smells like rotten eggs.