Make Your Resolutions Hit Home
CONSERVATION JANUARY 2, 2026
When the temperature dips, your home’s energy use climbs—mostly from space heating, heat loss through leaky gaps and windows, and using more hot water. The good news: you don’t need a remodel to make a difference.
By making simple, smart energy efficiency habits part of your routine, you can reduce home energy use by about 10–15% without sacrificing comfort. Try these quick wins this month, and then make them a habit and continue to save all winter long.
Five smart, simple moves for January (no remodel required):
Set it and save: Program your thermostat to adjust the temperature by 7–10°F for 8 hours/day to save up to ~10% on heating (and cooling) over a year.
Wash in cold water: About 90% of a washer’s energy goes to heating water; cold cycles clean most loads just as well.
Kill the “always on”: Standby power—the energy used by devices when they are off—accounts for ~5–10% of household electricity. Use smart power strips or unplug seldom-used gear (set-top boxes, game consoles, smart TV quick-start features).
Swap to LEDs (especially lamps you use the most): Modern LED lighting uses approximately 75% less energy and has a far longer life than incandescents.
Change your HVAC filters regularly. Check your air filters every month and replace at least every 3 months. Dirty filters waste energy and strain equipment.
Bonus quick wins
Seal & insulate key gaps. Seal and insulate around windows, doors and other openings to cut an average of 15% off heating/cooling costs.
Treat your windows right. Tight-fitting cellular shades can reduce window heat loss by about 40%. To maximize efficiency, open them for daytime sun and close them immediately after dusk.
Try these five moves in January and see how much you can save on your bill. Learn more about other energy-saving here. To get deeper how-tos and information on available rebates, explore the resources at EnergySaver.gov and the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade guide.
The resourcefulness you practice at home is the same logic being applied to our cities to "shine smarter." Just as you might schedule your home lighting to save energy, cities are using networked, intelligent lighting to build a more resourceful future. These smart streetlights can dim when streets are empty and brighten only when needed, trimming municipal energy use all year long.