14 Simple Low or No Cost Ways to Improve Your Home's Energy Efficiency

From the Shaker Heights Energy Subcommittee

You don't need to spend a lot of money to improve your home's energy efficiency and start saving on your utility bills, while also helping to improve the environment and combat climate change.  The Shaker Heights Energy Subcommittee has compiled a list of simple, inexpensive (or free) ways to start saving today. We challenge you to do at least five of these in your home. If you decide to take our challenge, let us know!

1. Change HVAC air filter

Those filters in your furnace and air conditioners are designed to prevent dirt, dust, and other air pollutants from recycling through your home. Once a filter becomes clogged with debris, it requires more energy to run your HVAC system. Mark your calendar to check your filters every 2 months or so, by holding it up to a light source and changing it if light passes through. To prevent the HVAC unit from turning on while you are changing the filter, make sure you turn the thermostat to the “off” position (or effectively temporarily shut off the system by lowering your thermostat temperature in hot weather or raising it above the thermostat temperature in cold weather). This will help protect your HVAC system from loose debris or maybe a loose filter fitting escaping into the duct. Also, when you change the filters, follow the arrow-markings on the side of the used filter to keep the new filter oriented correctly in the direction of air flow. Finally, be sure the new filter has the same MERV number (marked on the filter) as the old one.

2. If possible, lower the temperature on the water heater and raise the refrigerator/freezer temperature

Water heaters are the second-highest energy thief in the home. Using an accurate thermometer, keeping the temperature setting at 120 degrees Fahrenheit can trim 6% to 10% from your energy bill, depending on where the temperature was originally set. Never set the temperature below 120 degrees, because it allows dangerous, unhealthy organisms to grow inside your water tank. Set refrigerator to 37 F and freezer to 3 degrees. Turn off ice-maker except when needed, saving 15-20% of your refrigerator energy usage.

3. Clear air vents

Locate all the vents in your home. Are they open and clear of obstruction? If there are toys, furniture, or other things blocking a vent, clear them away. The easier it is for air to move through the home, the less energy it requires.

4. Stop air leaks

One of the most effective, least expensive things you can do to increase energy efficiency is replace caulk and weather stripping around doors and windows every two years. This is an easy DIY task. YouTube videos, such as this one, can teach you how to do this. While you’re at it, walk around the exterior of your home with a can of spray foam insulation. Fill gaps around windows, cement and bricks, and ground pipes.  Use ladders only at your own risk and if you are experienced.

5. Unplug vampire electronics

Many electronic devices continue to use a small amount of energy when connected to an outlet — even if they’re not being actively used. Energy.gov recommends unplugging electronics or using a power strip for things like televisions, stereos, computers, and large appliances.

6. Use a programmable thermostat

 Install a programmable thermostat and in colder weather schedule your home’s heat to lower when you are away or asleep, and increase when you are returning home or waking-up. In warm weather, schedule the thermostat to raise the temperature when you are away or asleep, and lower it at other times. You may be able to install a simple programmable thermostat yourself, but may need an HVAC technician to install one with more complicated wiring. Also, it’s important to locate your thermostat in the right place.

7. Use your dishwasher more efficiently

Consumer Reports tells us that dishwashers built after 2011 work better on unrinsed dishes. In fact, pre-rinsing your dishes sends the wrong message to the dishwasher’s sensor, indicating that the dishes are clean and require only a light wash.  To save work, water, and energy, run a full load and only pre-rinse if dishes are going to stand unwashed for more than a few hours. Also, dishwashing by hand uses 2-5 times more water. You can save even more energy by air-drying dishes rather than using the drying cycle on the machine.  

 8. Adjust your laundry habits

Energy Star says that nearly 90% of the energy consumed by a washing machine is due to heating the water, and the American Cleaning Institute says that modern soaps are designed to work well at lower temperatures. So except for difficult stains, make it a habit to wash your clothes in cold or luke-warm water. Also, if you’re not doing so already, clean the lint trap in the dryer with every use to maintain energy efficiency.

9. Replace an aging appliance for an Energy Star version, often with a rebate

Chances are that an appliance labelled Energy Star will use 10-20% less energy than your present appliance, and given Energy Star appliance rebates (available to customers of Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Co., or Toledo Edison, up to May 31, 2026), 

10. Make the switch to LED light bulbs

Switch your home’s most frequently used bulbs with ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs. They last at least 25x longer and consume up to 90% less electricity than incandescent bulbs.

11. Winter Tip: Invite In the Sun 

In winter, open curtains/shade on your west-and south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and save 2%-12% off your energy bill.

12. Summer Tip: Close Blinds and Shades

During the day, keep your blinds and shades closed to prevent warm air from building up in your home.

13. Replace old showerheads and faucets with “Watersense”-labelled accessories

An average family will save 2700 gallons of heated water a year or 333 kwh electricity by installing devices that reduce water flow by 30 percent or more without sacrificing performance.

14. Use smaller appliances for heating small portions

For cooking or heating small amounts of food, use a smaller appliance (e.g. microwave or toaster oven) to save 50% energy compared to heating or broiling in an oven.

Additional Resources (as of Feb. 5, 2025): Rewiring America Guide