Energy saving tips
Looking for ways to save energy at home? These energy-saving tips can help to lower energy bills and enhance comfort, from making small changes in your daily activities to adjusting thermostats, air-sealing and more.
Rebates for Massachusetts residents
Visit the National Grid Marketplace for increased rebates on energy-efficient products.
Heating and cooling tips
Both heating and cooling can have a big impact on your comfort - and your budget. Discover how to make them work better in your home.
- Keep doors and windows closed while running your heating or air conditioning system to reduce air loss.
- Clear areas in front of vents from furniture; blocked vents require up to 25 percent more energy to distribute air.
- In the summer, vegetation, solar screens, and awnings can be used to prevent the sun from making your home too hot. In the winter, do the opposite: Raise shades and blinds to let the sun warm your home.
- Calibrate your thermostats to ensure accurate readings. Adjust your thermostat up or down depending on the season, and lower the setting any time your home is unoccupied.
- Use programmable thermostats to adjust heating and cooling when rooms are unoccupied, saving you energy and up to $180 a year.
- Upgrade outdated heating and air conditioning equipment to newer, more energy-efficient models. You’ll save as much as 30 percent on energy costs in the long term, reduce maintenance, and improve the comfort of your home.
- Perform regular heating and air conditioning maintenance. Change filters monthly to improve air quality and reduce energy use. Establish a maintenance contract with your vendor for regular tune-ups, which help decrease equipment breakdowns and unnecessary air loss.
Lighting tips
- Replace outdated lighting with ENERGY STAR® certified lights, which last up to 25 percent longer and use up to 90 percent less electricity than older incandescent bulbs.
- Make use of natural light sources during daytime hours with blinds and skylights.
- Turn your lights off during the day, which can save up to 40 percent.
- Use dimmer switches to save energy and change the mood in a room.
Lighting Facts
Light color is measured on a temperature scale referred to as Kelvin (K). Lower Kelvin numbers mean the light appears yellower.
- 2700K – 3000K produces warm white light, the standard color of incandescent bulbs.
- 3500K – 4100K generates cool white light, which is good for kitchens and work spaces.
- 5000K – 6500K yields blue-white light, or “daylight,” which is ideal for reading.
Lumens indicate the brightness of a bulb, whereas watts measure energy use.
Insulation and air sealing tips
To save up to 15 percent on heating and cooling costs, make sure all ceilings, roofs, exterior walls, and wall cavities are adequately insulated.
Common air leakage points to check and seal include:
- Around plumbing, electrical, and duct work in exterior walls.
- Any chases open to spaces like an attic.
- Gaps between interior and exterior walls and ceiling sheetrock.
- Around sheetrock, including between interior and exterior walls and where sheetrock is sealed to the subfloor.
- Openings around windows.
- Floors, including cantilevered floors and band joist areas in floor systems.
- Kneewalls in Cape-style homes.
- Joints between existing buildings and additions or modular buildings.
- Adding a reflective roof coating can also help improve energy efficiency.
Water heating and conservation tips
- Conserving water is a great way to save energy and money in your home.
- Conserve water and lower your energy bills with water heater upgrades and low-flow showerheads.
- Stop leaks. Repairing even small leaks saves gallons of water and thus dollars each month.
- Install water-saving faucets and low-flow showerheads.
- Set a maximum water temperature of 120° F, to save energy and prevent scalding
- Upgrade your water heater to a high-efficiency model. Look for water heaters with an Energy Factor of .67 or greater (.82 or greater for larger systems).
Save energy on your electronics and appliances
As many of us are spending more time at home, these are some easy ways to cut your energy costs by making your home more energy efficient:
- Smart power strips can help you control the amount of energy your electronics use. If you don’t have one, unplug the electronics you aren’t using.
- Don’t leave chargers plugged in if they’re not charging your devices. They’re still drawing energy.
- Adjust your TV’s display settings to significantly reduce its power use without compromising picture quality.
- Make sure to only run full loads in the dishwasher and dryer and don’t forget to clean the lint filter after each use.
- Did you know you can conserve energy by simply flicking a switch? The switch on the side of your fan reverses the blades to spin clockwise, pushing hot air down into your home.
- Set your refrigerator’s temperature to 38°F.
- Try to minimize the number of times you and the family open the fridge and freezer during the day.
- If you have a toaster oven use it to reheat or cook small meals. It uses less energy than a traditional oven.