Save Money

Making energy efficiency improvements to your home will not only save you money on utility bills and pay you back over time for the cost of the improvements, it will also make your house more comfortable and healthy to live in.  Saving energy also protects you from the impact of future increases in energy prices or fuel shortages.

Here are some simple ways to save energy, and money, in your home:

  1. Use smart lighting options like buying Energy Star, CFLs and LEDs, and always turn them off when you don’t need them!  See our Guide to Energy Efficient Lighting for more information.
  2. Save hot water by using low flow shower heads, low-flow aerators, variable flow valves, and insulating your water heater! You can see up to 25% in savings by setting your hot water heater to 120 degrees.  
  3. Be smart with your appliances, buying Energy Star, and maximizing efficiency with full loads and a full fridge, using cold water, air drying whenever possible, and setting temperatures correctly.
  4. Don’t give juice to unused electronics: unplug, unplug, unplug!  Power strips and sleep mode are great, too!
  5. Adjust your thermostat or use a programmable one.  Five degrees colder and an extra blanket at night instead will add up to significant savings on home heating.  Learn more with our guide to installing and using a programmable thermostat.
  6. Find and seal cracks, gaps, and leaks.  Find them by following the smoke of an incense stick and fix them using a simple caulking gun and weather stripping.
  7. Cover your single paned windows with plastic transparent window film and use shades to hold back the cold night air while allowing warm daylight in!

Click here for a more detailed list of ways to save in the home.

Other sources of great information about saving energy and money in your home:

If you live in rural Alaska this tip booklet from the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference and the Alaska Energy Authority can help you (2009).

The second edition of Energy Savers Tips for Alaska can be found here (2011).

The U.S. Department of Energy also has a free, downloadable book of tips for saving energy and money in homes.  There’s also a Spanish language version!

If you’re a renter you might appreciate this list, the Top 10 Tips for Renters, from the Energy Star program.

Cold Climate Housing Research Center has provided The Alaska Consumer Guide to Home Heating to help answer your questions. 

Use our handy discussion forum for any questions as you make your home more efficient.  

See what the Bills have to say about low cost ways to save money throughout the heating season: http://youtu.be/brkJk6FN3YI

This video has some easy tips:

AHFC has some more in-depth videos for home owners (or prospective home owners) and quick 'One Minute Energy Manager' videos.