Home energy saving tips that actually move your kWh

Heating and cooling (the biggest share)

• Move your thermostat setpoint a few degrees and use a schedule when the house is empty.
• Replace or clean HVAC filters every 1–3 months so the blower does not fight restriction.
• Seal duct joints in unconditioned spaces such as attics and crawlspaces.
• Add weatherstripping to exterior doors and caulk visible gaps around window frames.
• Use ceiling fans to allow a higher summer setpoint — but switch them off in empty rooms.

Water heating

• Set the tank thermostat to 120°F.
• Insulate the first few feet of hot and cold pipe at the tank.
• Fix hot-water leaks quickly; a steady drip wastes both water and heat.
• Run dishwashers only when full and use the eco cycle.

Laundry, kitchen and lighting

• Wash clothes in cold water and clean the dryer lint filter every load.
• Keep the refrigerator coils clean and the door seals tight.
• Switch remaining incandescent or halogen bulbs to LED.
• Use a microwave, air fryer or toaster oven instead of a full oven for small meals.

Standby and plug loads

• Group entertainment and office electronics on switchable strips.
• Unplug rarely used chargers and secondary appliances.
• Check for old second refrigerators or freezers running half-empty in a garage.

Measurement beats guessing

• Read your meter weekly for a month to learn your baseline.
• Compare kWh year-over-year, not dollar-to-dollar — rates change.
• Ask your utility about free home energy audits and time-of-use plans.

Where StopWatt fits

StopWatt addresses power factor on motor-driven circuits — a narrow, technical slice of your electrical picture. Do the items above first; treat a plug-in device as a supplement you test with a return window, not a replacement for efficiency basics.