Reduce home energy use with simple efficiency upgrades

Home energy accounts for about 30% of household emissions. The highest-impact changes: seal air leaks around windows and doors ($5-20 in weatherstripping), add insulation in the attic ($200-500 DIY), switch to LED bulbs ($2-5 each, 75% less energy), and adjust your thermostat 2-3°F (saves 5-10% on heating/cooling).

Why It Works

Heating and cooling are the largest energy expenses and emission sources for most homes. Sealing and insulating are one-time investments that reduce energy use permanently. LED bulbs last 15-25 years and use a fraction of the electricity.

Tips

• A home energy audit (often free from your utility) identifies the biggest opportunities
• Weatherstripping and caulking are easy DIY projects with immediate impact
• A programmable thermostat saves 10-15% on heating/cooling with zero effort after setup
• Switch to a green electricity plan if your utility offers renewable energy options