Save on Heating, Cooling, Lighting and Appliances

Replace your 5 most used lights

Changing your 5 most used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ENERGY STAR® qualified models can save you $70 a year.

Look for Lumens

When choosing a light bulb, first look for the light output you need, listed as lumens or brightness, and then select the one with the lowest energy usage (wattage) to maximize your energy savings.

ENERGY STAR®-qualified light bulbs last 10-50 times longer than traditional bulbs

Each ENERGY STAR®-qualified light bulb saves about $6 a year each in energy costs

Maximize your energy savings when choosing a light bulb

First, look for the light output you need (listed as lumens or brightness), and then select the one with the lowest energy usage (wattage).

Replace your old water heater

with a new ENERGY STAR®-qualified gas storage tank water heater and save about $520 over its lifetime.

Switch to an ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater

and save nearly $3000 on electric bills on average over its lifetime.

Set your water heater thermostat at 120 degrees or lower

Wrap electric water heaters in an insulating jacket

Insulate all hot water pipes

as well as the first 5-10 feet of cold water piping supplying the water heater.

Replace your old refrigerator

with a new ENERGY STAR® model and cut your energy bills by $140 over the lifetime of your fridge.

Set and keep your refrigerator at 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit

Update your old clothes washer

with a new ENERGY STAR® model and save about $630 on utility bills over its lifetime.

Run full loads of clothes whenever possible

Clothes washers use about the same amount of energy regardless of the size of the load.

Wash clothes in cold water

Water heating consumes about 90% of the energy it takes to operate a clothes washer. Unless you're dealing with oily stains, washing in cold water will generally do a good job of cleaning. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut energy use in half. Using the cold cycle reduces energy use even more.

Trade your old dishwasher

for a new ENERGY STAR® model which on average is 10 percent more energy-efficient and 12 percent more water-efficient than non-qualified models.

Run full loads of dishes whenever possible

Dishwashers use about the same amount of energy and water regardless of the number of dishes inside.