Home Energy Lab · Free Guide
The Home Energy Savings Checklist
The cheapest changes that cut the most off your bill — ranked, with honest savings ranges.
You don't need to spend big to lower your power bill. Work down this list from free to pricier; the early items often pay for themselves fastest. Actual savings vary with your home, climate, and rates.
Free / near-free wins (do these first)
- Set back your thermostat 7–10°F while asleep or away (can trim ~10% off heating/cooling).
- Switch your most-used bulbs to LED.
- Kill phantom loads — unplug or power-strip electronics that sip power when off.
- Wash clothes in cold; clean the dryer lint trap every load.
- Find and seal obvious drafts around doors and windows.
Low-cost upgrades ($20–$100)
- Smart or programmable thermostat for automatic setbacks.
- Smart power strips for entertainment centers and desks.
- Weatherstripping and a door sweep on exterior doors.
- Low-flow showerheads (cuts water-heating cost).
Bigger projects (worth planning for)
- Add attic insulation — one of the highest-ROI envelope upgrades.
- Seal and insulate ducts if you have forced air.
- Consider a heat-pump water heater or HVAC at replacement time.
Measure first
- Plug a cheap energy meter into suspect appliances to find the real hogs.
- Check your utility's free online usage report for your biggest categories.
- Fix the biggest line items first — don't sweat a phone charger.
Small changes stack up. For honest reviews of energy-saving gear, visit homeenergylab.surge.sh.