Lower energy bills, step by step
Stop paying to heat the outdoors.
Practical, independent guides to using less energy at home: the free settings first, then cheap fixes, then sealing and insulation, then the upgrades worth planning for. Every guide says roughly what it costs.
Example home, kWh per month
BeforeAfter the free and cheap steps
Start with the free stuff
- Free
Settings and habits
Thermostat setbacks, water heater at about 120°F, cold-water laundry.
Thermostat guide - Under $100
Cheap fixes
Filters, LEDs, power strips, aerators and pipe insulation.
Standby power guide - Weekend
Seal and insulate
Find air leaks, weatherstrip doors, check the attic.
Air leak guide - Plan ahead
Bigger upgrades
Heat pumps and heat pump water heaters when equipment is due.
Heat pump guide
13 guides
Heating and cooling
- Thermostat settings that save without the shiversFree to $250
- Get more from your furnace and AC$10 to $200
- Heat pumps, explainedMajor upgrade
- Ceiling fans and window coveringsFree to $100
Sealing and insulation
- Find and seal air leaks$20 to $150
- Attic insulation: how much is enough?$500 to $3,000 if hired
- Weatherstripping doors and windows$10 to $60
Hot water
- Cut your water heating costsFree to $60
Electricity
- Standby power: the always-on load$0 to $30
- LED lighting: what to buy$2 to $10 per bulb
- Appliances: use them well, replace them wiselyFree to major
Bills and rebates
Free download, no email needed
The DIY Energy Audit Workbook
Walk through your home in an afternoon: a bill baseline, a room-by-room checklist, an air leak hunt, a standby power log and a priority list of what to fix first.
One way to save, every two weeks
The Kilowatt Letter: one practical energy-saving step per issue, with what it costs and what it can save. Confirm by email, unsubscribe with one click, and we never pass your address to utilities, solar sellers or anyone else.