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How can you make your home more energy efficient? With a few simple tips and updates from your local Touchstone Energy Cooperative. After all, they’re the Energy Experts.

Follow these steps, from CFLs to ENERGY STAR® appliances, to see the energy savings add up at home. You can also visit the Energy Efficient Home for room-to-room energy conservation tips or sign up for energy tips to get the best advice delivered to your inbox every month.

Unplug it.

• Home electronics, like computers and TVs, can leak energy even when turned off. Don't forget to unplug all electronics when you go away for the weekend or vacation.
• Plugmultiple electronics into a power strip to turn them on and off easily.
• Use outlet covers to plug unused outlet holes. Not only is it safe, it helps keep warm or cool air from leaking out.
• Turn off the TV if no one is watching it. A TV left on while you sleep can cost you $40-$100 in extra energy costs per year.

Conserve it.

• Limiting use of large appliances like washers, dryers, ovens and dishwashers during peak hours of the day can save money.
• If you cut dryer use in half by using drying racks and outdoor lines, you could save $45 a year.
• Keeping showers to five minutes or less will help you save money. A flow restrictor typically costs less than $1 and can cut the cost of taking a hot shower in half.
• About 90% of the energy used by a washer is for water heating. Wash only full loads of clothing in cold water whenever possible.

Insulate it.

• Weatherstripping cracks around windows and doors could take as much as 25% off your heating/cooling bill.
• Wrap windows in plastic sheeting or opt for double-paneled storm windows.
• If you don’t have an energy efficient electric water heater, add inexpensive insulation wrap to your gas water heater tank to stop energy leaks.
• Don’t forget to insulate yourself! Wearing layers in the winter allows you to stay warm without turning your thermostat up.

Close it.

• During hot summer days, keep drapes and shades closed so you don't heat up the house. During the winter, close drapes at night to keep heat inside your home.
• Conserve energy by simply using lids on pots and pans – your food will cook faster.
• Don’t open your oven door to take a peek – it lowers the temperature by as much as 25 degrees, increasing cooking time and wasting energy. Another tip? Use ceramic or glass pans and you can turn your temp down 25 degrees without affecting cook times.
• Close the doors to unused rooms in your home, along with closing the heat registers to avoid wasting energy.

Replace it.

• Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) consume 66% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. You’ll see the biggest savings if you replace bulbs in the rooms you use most. Figure out what you could save with our CFL Calculator.
• Change furnace and air conditioning filters on a monthly basis.Dirty filters can block the flow of air in and out of your home, increasing energy costs.
• Clean your dryer’s lint trap after every use – your loads will dry in less time.
• Have a leaking faucet? Repair it. One drop of leaking water per second can waste as much as ten gallons in a week.

Control it.

• Turn your thermostat and air conditioning down when you’re away, or install a programmable thermostat to automatically control the temperature.
• Ceiling fans can help your energy bill. By reversing the direction of the fan (counter-clockwise) in the winter, you can push warm air down from the ceiling. In the summer, switch it to run clockwise.
• How often do you leave a room but don't turn off the lights, TV or stereo? Leaving the lights on consumes precious energy, and over time the costs add up.
• Keep your refrigerator set between 37 and 40 degrees, with your freezer at or slightly above zero.

Invest in it.

• Landscaping and trees planted around your home can help shade it from the hot sun and block cold winter winds.
• An electric heat pump can help you save as much as 30% on your heating and cooling costs. Plus, unlike traditional heating sources, electric heat pumps offer year-round comfort, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
• ENERGY STAR® appliances can help you cut back on your energy bill, especially if your current appliances are older and less energy efficient.
• Solar-powered LED landscape lighting is an affordable investment that uses zero metered electricity.

Build it.

• If you’re constructing a new home, opt for ENERGY STAR® building materials. You can find qualified roofing, doors, windows, skylights and appliances to get your home off to an energy efficient start.
• For lighting, installmotion sensors and dimmable controls.
• Using light-colored roofing and siding will help your home absorb less heat from the sun and keep it cooler in the summer.
• Maximize natural lighting in your home with windows and skylights.