17 Home Improvements to Slash Your Energy Bill

High energy bills are often a sign that your home is working against you. Instead of just changing habits, permanent home improvements like sealing drafts with weatherstripping or upgrading your insulation can slash your energy bills. 

In this article, we will walk through the most impactful home improvements, from simple DIY projects to major professional installations, that can slash your energy consumption.

1. Upgrade Your Lighting

Difficulty: Easiest (DIY) Cost: $3 to $8 per bulb PAYOFF: Very High; Saves an average of $225 per year

Replacing old incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs is one of the fastest ways to lower your energy bill. According to the DOE, the average household can save about $225 per year just by switching to LED lighting. 

Beyond bulbs, smart controls offer more savings. Mike Townsend, Chief Visionary Officer of Veteran Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric, points to outdoor lighting as a key area. “I see so many homes…running decorative exterior lights from dusk to dawn when nobody’s even awake to see them,” he says. “A simple astronomical timer costs $20 and can cut that lighting bill by 60 to 70% by shutting off at midnight.”

2. Lower Your Water Heater Temperature

Difficulty: Easy (DIY) Cost: $30 PAYOFF: High; Saves an average of $100 to $150 per year

Your water heater is “working 24/7 to maintain temperature—every degree costs you,” says Townsend. He advises: “Drop your water heater temperature from 140°F to 120°F and insulate it with a blanket kit. We see this save homeowners $100 to $150 annually, and it’s a $30 fix you can do in 20 minutes.” 

As an added bonus, the Department of Energy points out that lowering the temperature also slows down mineral buildup and corrosion, which helps your water heater and pipes last longer.

DIY Solution: On a gas heater, turn the external dial. On an electric heater, turn off the breaker, remove the access panels, and adjust the thermostats (usually two) with a screwdriver.

3. Stop Drafts with Weatherstripping

Difficulty: Easy (DIY) Weatherstripping Cost: $10 to $60, depending on the project PAYOFF: High; Can cut around 10 to 15% off your energy bill

Weatherstripping creates a physical seal around moving parts, such as doors and windows, preventing cold drafts from entering and expensive heated air from escaping. 

Christy Robinson, with over 17 years of experience analyzing energy reports for Comfort Temp, calls these leaks the ‘silent killers’ of an energy bill. “I’ve seen more energy wasted through poorly sealed windows and doors than almost anything else,” she says.

“A $50 weatherstripping job can cut 10 to 15% off your bill immediately.” Self-adhesive foam tape and V-strips are the easiest types for a quick DIY project.

DIY Solution: Clean the window sash or doorjamb with rubbing alcohol to remove all dust. Measure the area twice, then cut the weatherstripping once. Peel the backing and press the strip firmly into place. Ensure the window or door can still lock easily. For more, check How to Weatherproof Windows.

4. Caulk Exterior Gaps and Cracks

Difficulty: Easy (DIY) Cost: $20 to $50 for DIY materials PAYOFF: High (A primary component of air sealing savings)

Think of caulk as your home’s best defense against tiny air leaks. You’ll find gaps and cracks where different materials meet, like around your window frames or where siding meets the foundation. Filling these gaps is a huge step in air sealing your home.

DIY Solution: First, use a putty knife to clean out all old, cracked caulk. Next, cut your new tube’s nozzle at a 45-degree angle. Push the caulking gun along the joint, forcing the caulk deep, and smooth the bead. For more, check out our guide on How to Caulk Windows.

5. Fix Leaky Faucets

Difficulty: Easy (DIY friendly) Cost: $20 to $50 for DIY repair parts PAYOFF: Medium (Showerheads and faucet aerators reduce hot water use by 10 to 15%)

“A leaky hot water faucet or shower valve wastes more than water”, highlights plumber Frank Gaborik, owner of Danika Plumbing. “It keeps your heater running nonstop,” he says. 

Gaborik warns that one drip per second wastes over 3,000 gallons of hot water a year. He also notes this wastes about 300 kilowatt-hours of energy. That’s a huge strain on your water heater, forcing it to work overtime and shortening its life.

Pro Tip: Gaborik suggests that ”Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators reduce hot water use by 10 to 15% without sacrificing pressure. Less hot water means less heating energy—simple, effective savings that add up over time.”

6. Change Your HVAC Filter

Difficulty: Easy (DIY friendly) Cost: $15 to $25 per filter PAYOFF: Very High; Up to 15% energy savings

A dirty filter blocks airflow. This makes your HVAC system work harder. It has to run longer to keep your home comfortable. A clogged filter can make your system use up to 15% more energy. Check standard air filters every 30 to 90 days.

DIY Solution: When you put in the new one, look for the arrow on the filter’s frame. That arrow must point towards the furnace or air handler. For more, check How to Change Your Home Air Filter.

7. Stop “Phantom” Energy Loads

Difficulty: Easy (DIY friendly) Cost: $15 to $30 for power strips PAYOFF: Medium; Reduces standby power by 5 to 10% annually

Many electronics pull power even when turned off. The DOE explains that this “phantom” or “vampire” load can account for 5% to 10% of your home energy use, costing an average of $100 per year.

Christopher Haas, master electrician and president of Haas & Sons Electric, says, “The worst offenders are cable boxes, TVs, gaming systems, computer setups, and even kitchen appliances with clocks or displays.”

Townsend points out less obvious energy drains. He includes older doorbell transformers and water heater recirculation pumps that run 24/7. The expert also notes significant waste from heat tape left on pipes year-round, rather than being used only during freeze-risk months.

DIY Solution: Use a power strip with an on/off switch for entertainment centers and appliances. Flip it off when not in use. Additionally, unplug devices you don’t need constantly, like your phone charger or toasters, to eliminate standby power drain.

8. Clean Refrigerator Coils

Difficulty: Easy (DIY friendly) Cost: $10 for a coil brush PAYOFF: Medium; 15 to 20% energy reduction on neglected units

This is an easy one to forget, but it’s a big mistake. Bruce Kemp, president at Lighthouse Energy Services, explains that “the biggest maintenance mistake I see is people ignoring their refrigerator coils. When I’m doing panel work in someone’s home and glance behind their fridge, those coils are usually packed with dust, pet hair, and debris.”

Dirty coils force the compressor to run longer and hotter. Kemp notes he has “measured 15 to 20% higher draw on neglected units.” He says five minutes with a $10 coil brush every six months pays for itself immediately.

DIY Solution: Always unplug the fridge first. Then, pull it out. Use a vacuum on the coils (at the back or bottom). A cheap coil brush will get the stubborn dust.

9. Clean Your Dryer Vent

Difficulty: Easy (DIY friendly) Cost: Free for DIY; PAYOFF: Very High; Cut drying time and energy use by 30 to 50%

A clogged dryer vent is a major fire hazard. It also wastes a lot of energy. Kemp highlights that “a clogged vent is costing you double. I’ve run dedicated 240V circuits for hundreds of dryers, and homeowners always ask why their dryer takes forever.” 

He says they check the vent. They find “more than 3 feet of accordion hose packed with lint, sometimes kinked behind the unit. A clean, short, rigid vent can cut drying time in half–literally from 90 minutes to 45 minutes. That’s cutting your dryer’s runtime and energy use by 50%.”

DIY Solution: Always unplug the dryer. If you have a gas dryer, shut off the gas valve. Pull the dryer out. Disconnect the duct. Use a vacuum. A dryer vent brush kit helps clear the entire line. For more, check the Dryer Maintenance Guide.

10. Clean Your Dishwasher Filter

Difficulty: Easy (DIY friendly) Cost: Free PAYOFF: Medium; Reduces pump strain by 40%

A simple maintenance task for your dishwasher can have a real impact on energy use. “The biggest dishwasher energy saver nobody thinks about is cleaning the filter monthly,” says Mack Blair, Owner of Blair & Norris.

He explains that “clogged filters force the pump to work 40% harder just to circulate water. I’ve had customers call thinking their dishwasher was dying when it just needed a clean filter, and suddenly their dishes were spotless again without extra cycles.” 

This two-minute fix just involves popping the filter out from the bottom of the dishwasher, rinsing it clean, and putting it back.

11. Replace Your Oven Door Seal

Difficulty: Easy (DIY friendly) Cost: $20 to $50 for the seal (DIY);  PAYOFF: Medium; Saves 15 minutes of heating time per use

If your oven takes forever to heat, check the door seal. That old seal might be leaking heat. Blair says it’s like “leaving your front door cracked all winter.” He suggests replacing it every 5 to 7 years. 

Blair highlights that “a $30 seal replacement keeps your oven from running 15 minutes longer just to maintain temperature, and most people never even know these seals wear out.”

DIY Solution: You just pull the old seal out. Then, press the new one into the groove. Make sure you get the right seal for your specific oven model. It’s a cheap fix that stops energy waste.

12. Choose Washing Machines with Load Sensing

Difficulty: N/A (Purchase decision) Cost: Premium varies; typically $200 to $400 more than standard models PAYOFF: High; 30 to 50% less water and energy use than standard machines

When it’s time to buy a new washing machine, look for one specific feature to save energy. “For washing machines, load balancing sensors are the feature that actually matters,” says Blair.

He notes, “Modern machines with automatic load detection use 30% to 50% less water and energy because they’re not filling a full tub for three shirts.”

Pro Tip: Blair suggests homeowners “skip the fancy steam cycles and get solid load sensing instead.”

13. Insulate Your Water Heater and Pipes

Difficulty: Medium (DIY friendly) Cost: $1 to $11 per linear foot PAYOFF: Medium to High, 7% to 16% savings annually

If your hot water tank feels warm to the touch, it is constantly losing heat. This is called ‘standby heat loss.’ According to the DOE, insulating the tank with a special blanket can reduce this loss. It can save 7% to 16% on your water heating costs. This project is most effective on older water heaters.

You can also insulate the first few feet of your hot water pipes. This can save another 3% to 4% on heating costs.

Read More: 

How to Insulate Pipes in Your House 

How to Keep Your Home’s Pipes from Freezing 

14. Install a Programmable Thermostat

Difficulty: Hard; Pro Required Cost:$30 to $150 PAYOFF: Very High; 10 to 12% savings annually

“I’d go for a smart thermostat every time,” says Haas. “I’ve been in enough Maryland attics and basements to see how much money people waste just heating or cooling an empty house.”

Robinson notes, “Smart thermostats save 10 to 12% regardless of your other appliances. For a $200 investment, you’re looking at $15 to 20 monthly savings in our market—pays for itself in under a year and keeps working.”

To get those savings, Townsend warns against outdated habits. “The biggest mistake I see is people programming schedules like it’s 2010,” he says. “Modern thermostats should auto-adjust when your phone leaves a 2-mile radius.”

15. Add Attic Insulation

Difficulty: Hard; Pro Required Cost: $1,680 to $3,125 for an average home PAYOFF: Very High;

Before you buy a new HVAC system, experts recommend you check your insulation. 

“Insulation and sealing win every time,” says Philip Crutchfield, Franchise Owner of Varsity Zone. “You can spend thousands on a new furnace, but if your walls, attic, and windows are leaking, the heat just escapes.”

Townsend explains, “I’ve seen Denver homes with brand new 98% AFUE furnaces still burning $300/month in winter because their 1970s attic insulation is compressed to R-11. Bump that to R-49 with air sealing, and the same furnace suddenly costs $180/month to run.”

16. Upgrade Your Water Heater

Difficulty: Hard; Pro Required Cost: $2,629 average (tankless); $1,500 to $5,000 installed heat pump PAYOFF: Very High;  around 30% savings

If you make one plumbing change, “upgrade your water heater—preferably to a tankless or heat pump model,” says Gaborik. Since water heating is around 20% of home energy use, this delivers long-term savings.

Gaborik notes a tankless model is up to 30% more efficient than a tank model, but efficiency gains depend on your household’s hot water usage—they’re most effective for homes using 41 gallons or less per day. For higher water usage, the efficiency gains drop to 8% to 14%.

An ENERGY STAR-certified electric water heater offers even greater efficiency, using approximately 50% less electricity than standard electric models and saving more than $600 annually for the average family.

*Warning: This is not a DIY job. Townsend warns that for tankless heaters, “if your gas line isn’t sized right, you’re looking at $1,500+ in additional piping work.” Always hire a pro for this installation.

17. Get an Energy Audit 

Difficulty: Pro Required Energy audit cost: $300 to $500 PAYOFF: Identifies specific savings opportunities

Before buying new equipment, find out where your energy is actually going. Townsend recommends a professional energy audit with blower door testing to find your home’s specific weak points.

“I’ve seen $8,000 furnace replacements do almost nothing because the real culprit was a return air leak in the basement,” he says.

For real-time data, Townsend suggests an electrical upgrade. A whole-home surge protector with energy monitoring is installed at your electrical panel, which he calls the “command center,” to track your home’s energy use circuit by circuit.

This data finds hidden problems. “We’ve had customers in the Denver area find through monitoring that their old well pump or sump pump was cycling inefficiently and costing them $40 to $60 monthly. You can’t fix what you can’t measure.”

Read More: How Much Does an HVAC Inspection Cost? 

Your Payoff is Long-Term Efficiency

Saving on your energy bill is a strategy, not a single task. You can start with the 5-minute projects, such as swapping a light bulb. Then, move on to the weekend projects, like sealing drafts. All these hands-on updates lock in savings for years.

As Bruce Kemp advises, “I always recommend the simplest Energy Star model that does what you need. Also, fewer computers and motors means lower consumption and fewer service calls down the road.”

Home Gnome delivers the best home service experience at the click of a button. Book reliable, skilled services in seconds and leave the rest to us.

Read more: 

• How to Install a Dimmer Switch

Main Image: A concerned woman looking at a high energy bill while adjusting the thermostat on the wall, illustrating home improvements to slash your energy bill. Photo Credit: nicoletaionescu / Adobe Stock