Energy is one of the few household costs you can reduce without earning more. Some of the biggest savings come from keeping heat and cool air inside your home, and eligible households can get that work done for free. This guide covers the programs to look into first, followed by low-cost steps you can take this week.
Start here
The federal Weatherization Assistance Program pays for energy upgrades in the homes of eligible low-income households, at no cost to the household. Apply through your state or local weatherization agency, which you can find through the U.S. Department of Energy or by dialing 211.
Free weatherization
The Weatherization Assistance Program helps reduce energy costs by improving how efficiently your home uses energy. Trained crews typically begin with an energy audit and then may seal air leaks, add insulation, repair or replace inefficient heating and cooling equipment and address related safety issues. Eligibility is based on income and varies by state, and households that receive other assistance such as LIHEAP or SSI may be prioritized or automatically eligible. Renters may qualify, usually with the landlord’s permission. There is often a waiting list, so apply early.
Ask your utility about programs
- Free or low-cost energy audits from your electric or gas company.
- Rebates and discounts on efficient appliances, heat pumps, smart thermostats and LED bulbs.
- Income-qualified efficiency programs that install items like weatherstripping, power strips and bulbs at no cost.
- Time-of-use rates that make electricity cheaper at off-peak hours, if you can shift laundry and dishwashing.
Low-cost steps that work
Heating and cooling (usually your biggest cost)
- Adjust your thermostat when you are asleep or away. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates you can save up to about 10 percent a year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day from its normal setting.
- Seal drafts. Weatherstripping and caulk around doors and windows are inexpensive. A rolled towel works in a pinch for door gaps.
- Cover windows. In winter, window film or heavy curtains reduce heat loss. In summer, close blinds on sun-facing windows during the day.
- Replace or clean filters on furnaces and air conditioners on schedule so they run efficiently.
- Use fans wisely. Ceiling and box fans use far less electricity than air conditioning and make a room feel cooler. Turn them off when you leave.
Lighting and appliances
- Switch to LED bulbs. The U.S. Department of Energy says LEDs use at least 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer.
- Use power strips for TVs, game consoles and chargers that draw power when off, and switch them off at the strip.
- Wash clothes in cold water and run full loads. Heating the water is most of a washing machine’s energy use.
- Air-dry when it is practical, or clean the dryer’s lint filter every load.
Water heating
- Set your water heater to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is generally enough for household needs and also reduces scald risk.
- Fix dripping hot-water faucets. A steady drip wastes both water and the energy that heated it.
- Take shorter showers and consider a low-flow showerhead, which some utilities give away.
If you rent
Many fixes do not need permission: window film, door sweeps, LED bulbs, power strips and thermostat changes (if you control the thermostat). For bigger items such as insulation or equipment, ask your landlord. Landlords may allow weatherization crews in because the upgrades improve the property at no cost to them.
Pair savings with bill help
If you are behind on a bill, see how to get help paying your utility bills. For other ways to cut spending, browse practical ways to cut your monthly bills.