Like many, you may be spending more time at home than ever before. And more time at home often means an increase in your energy bill. With winter right around the corner, now might be a good time to make your home more energy efficient.
The Residential Energy Consumption Survey is the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) government-backed program for understanding residential energy consumption in the United States. By using this information, customers can better understand where most of their energy use is happening and get tips to save on future energy bills. One of the easiest ways to start saving is by tackling your larger consumption rooms.
Whole-Home
- Installing smart thermostats is an effective way to manage your heating and cooling. Many smart thermostats learn what temperature you prefer and set a schedule that automatically adjusts when you’re asleep or away. See Selecting the Right Thermostat for Your Home to learn more about thermostats.
- Switching your light bulbs to LED can help save up to $82 on energy costs per bulb vs. 60-Watt incandescent over the bulb's life. When you think about how many light bulbs you have, that can amount to a significant amount of money. Lowe’s Light Bulb Buying Guide will give you more details on how to choose light bulbs.
- Sealing air leaks around doors and windows is another great way to keep your inside air from going outside. Utilizing any natural sunlight is a great alternative to heating your home as well.
Laundry Room
- ENERGY STAR certified washers and dryers offer a great way for you to buy efficient products that fit your needs. Understanding what you are looking for in a washing and drying machine is important to consider before making a purchase. Lowe’s Washing Machine Buying Guide and Dryer Buying Guide will give you more information before making a choice.
- Wash full loads of clothes when possible, and clean your dryer's lint filter after every load. This will not only help you reduce energy, but also water while maintaining your machine.
Living Room
- Consider using smart devices to monitor and operate your electronics effectively. Your living room is one of the most used areas of the home; remembering to turn off lights when you leave a room is a simple way to reduce energy.
Kitchen
- ENERGY STAR certified appliances are an effective way to save some significant energy costs every year. Lowe’s appliance buying guides will help you find what meets your individual home’s needs.
- Keeping the oven door closed while you are cooking, keeping your refrigerator fully stocked, and loading your dishwasher completely are other ways to reduce the energy used in your kitchen.
Utility Closet
- Reducing the amount of time your hot water runs, lowering the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and insulating your water heater can be good ways to reduce your energy bill as well. Small adjustments to how hot water is used within your home can make a significant impact every month.
- If you are looking for a new water heater within your home, check out the Lowe’s Water Heater Buying Guide to learn more about considering a high-efficiency water heater to save money and help the environment.
For more information on reducing your energy bill, check out the Create an Energy-Efficient Home buying guide on Lowes.com.
*Illustrations: The average square footage of the homes surveyed was around 2,800 square feet and the average square footage of the apartments surveyed was around 820 square feet. Your home's energy consumption and cost may differ based on regional cost of energy and actual products used in the home. 13¢ per kWh (U.S. average) was used to calculate the total energy consumption.
