• Sleep Mode - Be sure to adjust your power management settings so that your computer and monitor go into “sleep mode” when they’re not being used to reduce the amount of energy wasted while your computer is idling.

• Lighting - Monitoring lighting use is an easy way to cut back on energy. Don’t forget to turn lights off when you leave a room, take advantage of natural light, and use lamps over your desk instead of lighting the whole area.

• Streaming and Saving – Streaming your favorite show or movie? Using a tablet to watch will use one-fourth the energy of a laptop.

• Smart Strips - A study by the Natural Resources Defense Council found that about a quarter of home energy consumption is used on idling devices. Using a smart power strip will shut down power to products that aren’t being used. You can also unplug TVs, computers, and gaming consoles when you’re done using them to save energy.

• Laundry – To save energy while doing your laundry choose the cold water setting, and use a faster washer spin cycle to help dry your clothes faster later.

• Dishwashing – You could save about $1,300 worth of energy over the lifetime of your dishwasher, and nearly 230 hours per year of personal time by using a dishwasher instead of handwashing. While you’re home, this is a great time to teach your kids how to use the dishwasher and other home appliances.

• Showers - Taking a 10 minute shower with a low-flow showerhead uses about 25 gallons of water, while the average bath uses 35-50 gallons. Taking showers instead of baths will help you save water, and lower the energy you use to heat your water up.

• Faucets - The average faucet uses 2 gallons of water for every minute it runs. To save, be sure to switch your faucet off when doing activities like brushing your teeth, washing dishes or shaving.

• Spring Cleaning - Think about small things that will lead to big results. Replacing a dirty filter in your cooling and heating units can decrease energy consumption by up to 15%.

• Clean and Efficient - When you clean your home, you can also make it more energy efficient. Activities like cleaning windows, vacuuming dryer vents or moving furniture away from heating vents can help you save energy in the future.

• Watch Your Windows - You can lose up to 15% of the heat in your house through unprotected windows, even if they’re closed. To make the most of your windows, open your drapes when it’s sunny to let the warm light in, and close your drapes at night to help insulate your windows.

• Prevent Drafts - Reducing air leaks could cut 10 percent from an average household's monthly energy bill. Seal air-leaks around doors and windows with caulking and weather-stripping. Using locks on your windows can also make them tighter and more draft resistant.

• Proper Insulation - Ensure that your attic, basement and outside walls are properly insulated.

• Cover It Up - Cover through-the-wall air conditioners to prevent cold air from leaking into your home.

• Remember the Fireplace - Close the fireplace damper when not in use.

• Use It When You Need It - According to the US Department of Energy, you can cut annual heating bills by as much as 10 percent by turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 percent for eight hours a day - like when you're sleeping or not at home. 

• Ceiling Fans - Ceiling fans can help you optimize your comfort and energy use year-round. Setting them to spin counter-clockwise in summer will push air down and make room occupants feel cooler. In the winter, set fans to spin clockwise to pull air up and circulate it throughout the room.  

• Let Air Flow - Don't block your radiators or heating vents with furniture or draperies. Keep your radiators, registers and baseboard heaters dirt- and dust-free.

• Energy Where You Need It - Close vents and doors in unused rooms. 

• The Power of Reflection - Place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room.

• Get Smart - A smart wireless thermostat makes it easier to keep your home the optimal temperature, saving your money while protecting our planet.  

• Best Temperatures - For the best performance and energy saving, ENERGY STAR recommends keeping your refrigerator at 35-38 degrees Fahrenheit, and your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Consider The Grill - If you’re worried about the oven heating up your house, consider breaking out the grill and cooking outdoors, or using the microwave if possible.

• Meal Prep - Preparing your meals in advance is a great way to save energy and time later in the week. 

• Pressure Cooking - Using a programmable pressure cooker instead of the oven will help decrease your home’s energy use, and reduce cooking time by about 70%. Try a recipe from Pressure Cooking Today to save energy and money.

• Blog - According to the Yale Environment Review, cooking uses 20% of the typical consumer’s total energy use. Be sure to shut off the oven when you’re done cooking.

• Keep the Door Closed - An easy way to save energy while preparing home-made meals is to limit the amount of times you open your oven and refrigerator doors. Allowing heat or cold air to escape will cause your appliances to work harder and use more energy. Check out the ENERGY STAR Flip Your Fridge calculator to see how much energy your fridge uses.

• Fight Frost - Defrost your refrigerator or freezer if the ice buildup is more than a quarter-inch thick.

• Get Rid of Hot Air - In the summer, use an exhaust fan to blow hot air out of your kitchen while you’re cooking. The savings on your cooling costs far outweigh the electricity used by the fan.

• Take Advantage of Incentives - When it comes time to upgrade your appliances, make sure to choose an energy efficient model, and take advantage of our available rebates and incentives.

• Keep Your A/C Cool - If possible, keep your room air conditioner out of the sun. Room air conditioners work best when kept cool. Installing one in a north-facing wall is usually ideal.

• Don't Forget the Filter - If you have a pool, turn off your filter overnight when the pool is not in use.

• Optimize Your Chores - Laundry and dish washing generate extra heat in your home. Aim to do these chores at night to make the most of this extra heat.

• Easy Breezy - In the summer, consider taking advantage of the warmer air and dry your laundry outside.

Looking for some new online activities for kids? Visit our e-smart kids page for a variety of educational, energy and safety-related activities.

Are you searching for ways to keep your kids learning while schools are closed? Check out the ENERGY STAR kids portal for energy and environment-related facts and activities for your children.

If you’re searching for some energy-saving tasks for your children, there are a number of online resources to help. Visit the Environmental Protection Agency and National Energy Education Development websites for some information and activities. You can also download this printable coloring page from Project Energy Savers to get started.

Did you know that many organizations are providing virtual tours and field trips to museums and other educational sites? Kids can take a virtual trip to the Museum of Nuclear Science and History and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for some exciting and informational facts about the energy industry. To explore other locations, visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Energy Kids portal.