How to save on your energy bill.

Wondering how to save on your energy bill? Give these energy-saving tips and easy updates a whirl. 

Whether you rent or own your home, TVA EnergyRight^® and your local power company are here to help you get started on your energy-saving journey. We’ve rounded up 25 ways to boost your home’s energy efficiency. Saving energy — and money — can be as easy as the flip of a switch. 

Read on to find free DIY home improvements, and learn more about valuable rebates on home energy upgrades!

25 ways how to save on your energy bill.

1. Take our free DIY Home Energy Assessment.

Answer a few questions about your home, appliances, insulation, and heating and cooling systems to find out how your home uses and loses energy. 

At the end of your DIY home energy assessment, you’ll gain access to an interactive online dashboard with energy improvement recommendations specific to your home. Plus, you’ll receive a free energy-saving kit and a $10 home improvement store gift card in the mail. 

2. Find a home energy rebate that’s right for you.

From up to $3,000 rebates on HVAC systems to hundreds of dollars off air sealing and insulation, home energy rebates from TVA EnergyRight and your local power company increase the affordability of upgrades that lower utility bills and boost your indoor comfort. Explore rebates.

3. Set calendar reminders for monthly tasks and recurring energy-saving chores.

Let technology do the worrying for you! For recurring events, like changing your air filter at least once every three months or switching the direction of your ceiling fans seasonally (counterclockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter), simply add them to your calendar and enjoy the satisfaction of checking them off as they pop up! 

4. Save with smart power strips.

Slay vampire energy — that’s the electricity your electronics use when they’re plugged in, but not in use — and save as much as $100 per year. Reduce your standby power load and save 5-10% with smart power strips, ENERGY STAR appliances and by unplugging infrequently used electronics (Energy.gov). It’s surprising, but small appliances like curling irons, electric razors and printers use energy even when you’re not using them. If you plug it in, and you use it only occasionally (or briefly), power it all the way down when you’re done and unplug it from the outlet.

5. Adjust your thermostat by a few degrees. 

Heating and cooling your home uses a lot of energy. Did you know that you can save up to 10% on your total air conditioning costs with a smart thermostat (Energy.gov)? For optimal savings, we recommend keeping your thermostat set to 78° F in the summer and 68° F in the winter. 

6. Join our Smart Thermostat Rewards program.

When you join our Smart Thermostat Rewards program, you can help keep energy costs low and get rewarded with sign-up and annual rebates. Note: not all local power companies are participating in the program.

7. Schedule an HVAC system tune-up.

Routine HVAC maintenance can improve your system’s efficiency and help it last longer. Get a tune-up on your electric heating or cooling system and redeem your $50 rebate. Explore all rebates.

8. Have your duct system professionally inspected and maintained.

Did you know that leaky, uninsulated ducts can reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems by up to 20%? Keep clean air flowing and keep your heating and cooling systems working at peak efficiency. (ENERGYSTAR.gov)

9. Uncover blocked air vents.

If there’s anything blocking your air vents or intakes — like a couch, bed, rug or pile of backpacks — it’s going to make your HVAC system work harder to keep a controlled temperature. You want unobstructed vents for maximum airflow and maximum energy savings.

10. Weatherstrip your doors and windows.

A little gap here, a little gap there … add up. The experts at This Old House have found that a gap as small as ⅛ inch around the entryway of a door is like drilling a 5-inch hole through the outside wall! Seal everything up with caulk and weatherstripping.

11. Fuzzy bunnies are cute. Dust bunnies aren’t.

Dust, lint and pet hair are attracted to ductwork, bathroom exhaust fans, and the back of your refrigerator — we love furry friends, but we’re not fans of dust bunnies. All that dust makes your appliances work harder, increasing your energy bill and adding unnecessary extra wear and tear.

12. Install high-efficiency LED lights.

Installing 10 high-efficiency 60W equivalent LED bulbs can save you more than $50 per year! And of course, saving energy is as easy as a flip of a switch — so be sure to turn off lights as you leave a room.

13. Use the dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand.

An ENERGY STAR^® dishwasher uses less than four gallons of water per cycle and can save about 3,850 gallons of water in its lifetime. On the other hand, washing dishes by hand uses four gallons every two minutes! That means running a partial load is probably going to be more efficient than handwashing a sink full of dishes. (We think that’s worth celebrating!) 

14. Skip the pre-rinse, really!

The energy efficiency of dishwashers has come a long way (see above), and so has the cleaning power of dishwashing detergents. In fact, enzyme-based dish detergents work better when they have a little something to cling to. Food scraps still need to go into the garbage or compost, but skip the pre-rinse and you’ll save water and electricity.

15. Set it and forget it.

Setting your water heater to 120° F can save you up to 22% annually. It’s also hot enough for a good shower and not so hot that it scalds! 

16. Pull the refrigerator slightly away from the wall.

Your refrigerator needs room in the back so air can circulate and the heat it generates has space to dissipate. Make sure there are about two inches between the refrigerator and the back wall. 

17. Keep your freezer full and avoid overfilling your refrigerator. 

An overfull refrigerator or freezer traps cold air, and a full, but not-too-full, refrigerator and freezer mean air can flow and your items will stay cold.

18. Clean your oven and range.

Much like dirty or dusty refrigerator coils, a dirty stove has to work harder to heat itself, and that’s going to drive up your energy costs. (It can be hazardous, too!) Fill up a spray bottle with a mixture of water, white vinegar and dish soap and start scrubbing. 

19. Match pot and pan sizes to burner sizes.

Large burners use more energy. A too-small pot or pan on a large burner means you’re heating space with nothing on it and burning up easy savings.

20. Here comes the sun! Be solar savvy.

Close your curtains and blinds during hot summer days to reduce solar gain. In the winter, let the sun shine in — but remember to close your curtains and shades in the evenings.

21. Take time off from tech.

This one’s as much a challenge as it is a tip: Pick one night a week to go screen-free. Substitute TV, tablets and video games with activities that use less electricity but burn more energy (and are arguably more fun) like strumming a guitar, playing a classic board game, solving an old-school puzzle or reading a good book. 

22. Use the spin cycle and air-dry (some of) your laundry.

Give your clothes an extra spin to minimize drying time. You can even “damp dry” items and hang them to dry on an attractive — and foldable — drying rack.

23. Clean the dryer vent.

You may be sensing a trend here, but as with your HVAC air filters and refrigerator coils, a full lint trap makes your dryer work harder, plus it’s also a fire hazard. Empty the lint trap after every dryer use. Twice a year, clean the full dryer vent, the part that extends from the back of your dryer to the outside of your home. This is especially important if your dryer stays in heavy rotation and/or you have furry pets.

24. Rent or buy an e-bike.

E-bikes give you all the fun of a traditional bicycle, but they’re easier on the joints — and get you where you’re going a little quicker. They’re great for light grocery runs and cargo bikes are a hit with the kids! Park the car, save on fuel and head out for an adventure.

25. Try out mass transit.

If you live in an urban area, give public transportation a whirl. Online apps and maps make it easier than ever to see schedules and pay. Next time you’re headed to a concert, sporting event or the mall, hop on your area’s local public transportation and save a bundle.