The best way to lower your energy bills is to use less energy. Take the Energy-Saving Tour through the interactive house below to pick up tips for saving energy in every room in your home.
To take the Energy-Saving Tour, click on the image below.
More low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy
- Watch our Energy-Saving Tips video - NEW!
- Maintain your heating system
- Schedule a Home Energy Audit
- Turn down your thermostat
- Turn down water heater setting
- Make windows work for you
- Stop drafts with caulking and weather stripping
- Add insulation where needed
- Keep warm in winter
- Showerheads/faucets
- Radiators
- Washer/dryer
70-80% of a typical home's natural gas use is for heating. Use your energy dollars wisely with these tips:
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Change or clean furnace filters once a month during heating season.
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Have your furnace or boiler tuned by a qualified technician once a year to help improve your system’s operating efficiency. Plus, your furnace is one-third less likely to break down.
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If you have an old heating system, consider replacing it with a high efficiency system. By upgrading you could save 15 to 24% on heating costs. Plus, you could save up to $200 on initial costs with our Heating System Rebate Program.
Have one of our energy experts perform a Home Energy Audit for your home. The auditor will inspect your home for energy-saving opportunities and provide you with a full report.
The easiest and most economical way to cut energy costs is to adjust your thermostat. You could cut heating bills by as much as 10% per year by turning your thermostat back by 10 to 15% for eight or more hours per day.
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Set thermostats between 65 F and 70 F during the winter, and to 58 F when away from the house for four or more hours. For homes with elderly people or children, warmer temperatures are recommended.
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For greater temperature control, use a programmable or setback thermostat.
Turning down water heater setting
The water heater accounts for approximately 15% of the average household's energy use. Using it wisely can save you money.
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To lower energy cost without sacrificing comfort, set water heater temperature to 120 F.
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On sunny days, open draperies and blinds to let in the sun's warmth.
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Close draperies and blinds at night to insulate against cold air outside.
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If you have storm windows, be sure they are installed during heating season.
Stop drafts and air leaks with caulking and weatherstripping
By adding insulation and sealing air leaks, you could cut as much as 40% from your energy bill. Guard against heat loss by sealing leaks around doors, windows and other openings such as pipes and ducts.
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Be sure attic and basement have recommended levels of insulation.
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After you have caulked and sealed bypasses, adding insulation can help you reduce energy use and save on future fuel bills.
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Be sure attics have recommended levels of insulation.
Visit our Weatherize and Ventilate section for information on sealing your home, insulating and ventilating.
After you have caulked and sealed bypasses, adding insulation can help you reduce energy use by up to 30% and save on future fuel bills. Learn more in Weatherize and Ventilate.
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Warm air rises, so use registers to direct warm airflow across the floor.
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Close vents and doors in unused rooms.
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Keep hot and cold air registers free of dust and do not block with carpet or furniture.
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Repair leaky faucets. A leak that fills a coffee cup in 10 minutes wastes 3,280 gallons of water a year.
Place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room.
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Run washing machines and clothes dryers with full loads only.
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Replace old, outdated appliances with high efficiency models.
For more information about saving energy at home, visit the Minnesota Department of Commerce's Energy Information Center.
