

4 Easy Changes That Save Energy at Home

Take our advice, and you could pocket a few hundred extra dollars this year.

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It's wise to be conscious of your energy usage year-round, but it's especially pertinent come fall and winter, when you'll be cooped up in the house (with the heat pumping) more often. Here's how you can start the season off on an efficient note:

1. Change your routine with your appliances.

Washing clothes in cold water can save you up to $40 a year in water-heating costs (and yes, your clothes will still get clean). Stop pre-rinsing dishes before you load the dishwasher — really, you don't have to do it — and always run a full machine. And don't overwork your electric stove's small burners by using them to heat large pots? Pair your burners and pots by size, and you'll keep $36 more annually.

2. Reconsider how you heat your home.



But easiest of all, switch to a programmable thermostat. Smarter ones, like the latest Nest 3, can automatically turn down the heat when you're out (or asleep), based on your programmed preferences, and crank it back up during prime home time. The app-synced thermostat can also send alerts when something is wrong with your heating system. Be sure to check with your energy provider — some, like Direct Energy, offer package deals that give customers new smarter thermostats for free. Switch and you could save up to 12% a year on your heating and up to 15% on cooling.

Courtesy of Nest

3. Beware phantom power.

Even when some electronics are turned off (like TVs, DVRs, and computers) they can still consume "phantom" energy if they're plugged into an outlet. This trickling of electricity can add up to $100 per year to your energy bills. Avoid it by unplugging your devices when you're not using them, or employ a power strip so you can cut the juice with a single flip of a switch.

4. Swap out dated light bulbs.


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