10 practical actions you can take to save on energy

Making practical changes to how you use energy in your daily life is an easy way to save money. Check out these 10 simple actions that you can take today to save money on your energy bills, reduce energy use, and help the environment:

1. Use active transportation like walking, biking or taking public transit or carpool to get where you need to go. Even doing so one day a week helps.
2. Use fuel-efficient driving techniques by driving smoothly and avoiding sudden acceleration and braking to get the most mileage out of your gas tank.
3. Plan your trip ahead of time and reduce unnecessary idling in your vehicle to save fuel while running errands and on your way to work. Find out more about fuel-efficient driving techniques.
4. Use “smart” power bars that can cut standby power from your devices and appliances when you’re not using them. Standby power can account for up to 10% of your energy bill. Learn more about standby power and smart devices.
5. Use LED light bulbs and when you need a little extra light, use task lighting instead of overhead lighting to use less energy. Find out more about everything LED.
6. Swap your current thermostat for an ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostat to better control the temperature inside your home or business based on the conditions outside. Learn more about the benefits of smart thermostats.
7. Set your programmable thermostat to adjust the heating and cooling of your home or business when no one is there. Increase the thermostat for air conditioning by a few degrees and decrease it for heating to save more energy.
8. Take good care of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Make sure vents are clear from furniture or obstructions, and regularly clean filters, coils, and ductwork to make sure it’s running as efficiently as possible.Learn more about HVAC care and maintenance.
9. Seal your home with proper weather stripping around windows and doors to keep the heat in.  Find out more about weather-stripping your home.
10. Replace older, inefficient appliances or electronics (big and small) when the time comes with ENERGY STAR certified models to save on energy costs.

Share the actions you've taken at home and on the road and find out what others are doing by using the hashtag #WaysWeSave on social media.