You don’t have to dread an expensive electric bill every month just to make your house a comfortable place to live. Read about these steps to making your home more energy-efficient to save money and reduce your carbon footprint.

1. Change Your Thermostat at Night

Your home doesn’t need constant cooling or heating while everyone’s asleep. Adjust your thermostat every night so your HVAC system turns on less frequently through the morning.

2. Unplug Unused Technology

Appliances like your TV or computer still use electricity while they’re off. Unplug them completely to avoid more electricity usage for things you’re not currently using.

3. Switch Your Light Bulbs

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LED light bulbs require 75% less electricity than incandescent alternatives, so start using them in your light fixtures to cut costs on your electric bill.

4. Rely Mostly on Cold Water

Unless you’re showering, try to use cold water instead. Cold cycles for your dishwasher and washing machine don’t require your water heater to turn on.

5. Insulate Your Garage Door

The cold air that fills your garage will cause your home to cool down too. Instead of letting your HVAC system heat your home constantly, install an insulated garage door to lower your monthly energy costs and keep winter air outside.

6. Schedule an Energy Audit

It’s challenging to know if your efforts make a difference if you don’t know how much electricity your home typically consumes. An energy audit will give you a starting point to compare how much energy you’re saving after a month of using these steps to make your home more energy efficient.

7. Upgrade Your Computer

Older laptops and desktops need more electricity to charge their batteries or operate. Upgrading your computer will give you a model with the latest energy-saving technology. Take advantage of winter holiday sales and discounts to get the best deal while they last.

8. Change Your Air Filters

Replacing your air filters every two months can help with more than staying healthy. It also makes HVAC units 15% more efficient, which means it needs less electricity to push clean air through your home. Use a planner to note when your filters need replacing so you never forget to make this instant adjustment to your home’s carbon footprint.

9. Turn Off the Lights

You might accidentally leave lights on in empty rooms or forget to unplug exterior holiday lights before going to bed. Set reminders on your phone to avoid wasting energy on spaces where no one requires extra light.

10. Use Your Fireplace

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Wood-burning and gas fireplaces are great at saving electricity. Start a warm fire in your fireplace and use your ceiling fan to push the heat through your home. It’s more cost-efficient than using your HVAC unit and can warm your house faster, too.

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

These are just a few steps to making your home more energy efficient. Think about which tips would work best for your house to decide where to start. Whether you use your fireplace more often, insulate your garage, or wash your dishes in cold water, you’ll notice an immediate difference in your next electricity bill.