My electric bill seems too high. How can I perform a simple home energy audit myself?

Performing a do-it-yourself home energy audit is a straightforward way to pinpoint where electricity is being wasted and how to lower your utility bills.

Step-by-Step DIY Home Energy Audit

1. Review Your Utility Bills
   • Collect your past 12 months of electricity bills. Look for seasonal spikes and compare your usage patterns to identify when and where you consume the most energy.
2. Inspect for Air Leaks
   • Walk through your house and inspect the "building envelope"—where the inside meets the outside . Check around window frames, door edges, baseboards, electrical outlets, switch plates, and plumbing penetrations.
   • The Incense Test: Turn on all your home's exhaust fans (like bathroom and kitchen vents) to create slight negative pressure. Light an incense stick and slowly pass it along the edges of potential leak spots. If the smoke wafts sideways or flickers wildly, you’ve found an air leak.
3. Check Insulation Levels
   • Inspect your attic, basement, or crawlspace to see if insulation is visible and measure its depth. If the insulation in your attic is level with or below the floor joists, you likely need more.
4. Examine HVAC and Mechanical Systems
   • Inspect your heating and cooling air filters. Hold them up to a light source; if they are caked in dust and blocking light, they need to be replaced.
   • Check accessible ductwork in the basement or attic for detached sections or dirt streaks around the seams, which indicate leaking conditioned air.
5. Evaluate Lighting and Electronics
   • Take inventory of your light bulbs. Count how many are still traditional incandescent versus energy-saving LEDs.
   • Look for "vampire loads"—electronics, entertainment systems, and kitchen appliances that draw standby power even when turned off.
6. Assess Major Appliances
   • Check the temperature settings on your refrigerator (ideally 35° F to 38° F) and your water heater (set to 120° F or "warm"). Check if your water heater feels warm to the touch; if so, it may benefit from an insulating blanket.

Community Experiences

I found a huge draft coming right through the electrical outlets on an exterior wall. Putting simple foam gaskets behind the outlet covers made an immediate difference.

Changing out all our old recessed and regular bulbs for LEDs dropped our lighting usage dramatically, and it was the easiest thing to do on the list.

If you want to narrow this down, let me know:

• Is your home primarily heated/cooled by electricity (like a heat pump) or gas?
• What climate zone or region are you located in?

I can help you prioritize which fixes will give you the highest return on investment.

A simple DIY home energy audit can often identify the biggest sources of wasted electricity without any specialized equipment. Set aside about 1–2 hours, grab a flashlight, and use the checklist below.

1. Compare your bills first

Before inspecting the house, look at your last 12 months of electric bills.

Ask yourself:

• Did your usage (kWh) increase, or just the price?
• Was the jump seasonal (summer AC or winter heating)?
• Did you add any new appliances, a space heater, or an EV?

This helps determine whether the issue is higher consumption or higher utility rates.

2. Check for air leaks

Air leaks are one of the most common causes of high heating and cooling costs.

Inspect around:

• Windows
• Exterior doors
• Attic hatch
• Electrical outlets on exterior walls
• Plumbing and cable penetrations
• Fireplace dampers

An easy test:

• On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick or a thin strip of tissue near suspected gaps.
• If the smoke or tissue moves noticeably, you've found a draft.

3. Inspect insulation

Look in your attic if it's safe to do so.

Check for:

• Thin or uneven insulation
• Compressed insulation
• Bare spots around recessed lights or attic access

Insufficient attic insulation is one of the biggest sources of energy loss.

4. Evaluate your HVAC system

Heating and cooling are usually the largest electricity users.

Check:

• Air filter (replace if dirty)
• Supply and return vents (not blocked by furniture)
• Outdoor AC unit (clear away debris)
• Thermostat settings

If the filter is clogged, your system has to work harder.

5. Check your water heater

Look for:

• Hot water leaks
• Temperature set much above 120°F (49°C)
• Missing insulation on older tank-style heaters

Hot water can account for a significant portion of home energy use.

6. Find "phantom" power users

Many electronics use electricity even when "off."

Common culprits:

• TVs
• Game consoles
• Cable boxes
• Desktop computers
• Chargers left plugged in

Using a smart power strip can reduce this standby usage.

7. Check lighting

Walk through your home and note any incandescent or halogen bulbs.

Replacing them with LEDs can reduce lighting energy use substantially while lasting much longer.

8. Inspect major appliances

Ask:

• Is the refrigerator door sealing tightly?
• Are dryer vents clean?
• Is the refrigerator condenser dusty?
• Are appliances more than 10–15 years old?

Older appliances often consume considerably more electricity than newer efficient models.

9. Look for easy fixes

Make a list of improvements, starting with the least expensive:

10. Know when to call a professional

A DIY audit can find many issues, but a professional audit uses tools such as:

• Blower-door testing
• Infrared cameras
• Air leakage measurements

These can reveal hidden leaks and insulation problems that aren't visible during a walkthrough. Some utilities also offer free or discounted home energy assessments.

If your electric bill suddenly increased by 20% or more without a clear reason, tell me:

• your home's approximate size,
• whether you use electric heat, gas heat, or a heat pump,
• and what changed on the bill (higher kWh, higher rate, or both).

I can help narrow down the most likely causes.

A simple DIY home energy audit can often uncover the biggest causes of a high electric bill in under an hour. The goal is to identify where you're losing conditioned air and which appliances are using the most electricity before spending money on upgrades.

Here's a practical checklist:

1. Compare your current bill to previous months

   • Look at total kWh used, not just the dollar amount.
   • Compare the same month from last year if possible (weather has a big effect).
   • If your utility offers hourly or daily usage data, look for unexpected spikes.

2. Check for air leaks Walk around your home and feel for drafts near:

   • Exterior doors
   • Windows
   • Attic hatch
   • Electrical outlets on exterior walls
   • Pipe and cable penetrations

   An easy test is to hold a lit incense stick near suspected gaps. If the smoke moves noticeably, air is leaking there.

3. Inspect insulation Focus on:

   • Attic insulation depth
   • Exposed ductwork in the attic
   • Gaps around attic access

   In many homes, inadequate attic insulation is one of the largest sources of energy loss.

4. Evaluate your HVAC system Since heating and cooling are usually the biggest electricity users:

   • Replace a dirty air filter.
   • Make sure vents aren't blocked by furniture.
   • Check that outdoor AC coils are free of leaves and debris.
   • Listen for the AC running almost continuously, which may indicate an efficiency problem.

5. Check your water heater

   • Set the temperature to about 120°F (49°C) unless you have a specific reason for it to be higher.
   • Look for leaks.
   • If it's in an unconditioned space, consider insulating the hot-water pipes.

6. Identify energy-hungry appliances Common culprits include:

   • Older refrigerators or freezers
   • Electric space heaters
   • Pool pumps
   • Electric water heaters
   • Clothes dryers
   • Dehumidifiers

   If you have a plug-in electricity monitor, measure individual appliances over a day or two.

7. Review lighting Replace any remaining incandescent or halogen bulbs with LEDs, especially in fixtures used several hours each day.

8. Look for "always-on" devices Things like cable boxes, gaming consoles, second refrigerators, and networking equipment consume electricity continuously. Using a smart power strip can help reduce unnecessary standby power.

Low-cost improvements with good payback

• Install weatherstripping around exterior doors.
• Caulk gaps around windows and utility penetrations.
• Replace HVAC filters regularly.
• Seal duct leaks if they're accessible.
• Use programmable or smart thermostat schedules.
• Wash clothes in cold water when practical.

When it's worth getting a professional audit

If your bill remains unusually high after addressing obvious issues, or you suspect hidden insulation or duct problems, a professional energy audit can use blower-door testing and infrared cameras to pinpoint leaks that aren't visible. Some utilities also offer free or discounted audits, and certain professional audits may qualify for a federal tax credit if they meet IRS requirements.

If you tell me:

• approximately how many kWh you used last month,
• your home size,
• whether you have electric or gas heating,
• and the age of your AC,

I can help narrow down the most likely reasons your electric bill is high.

Performing a do-it-yourself (DIY) home energy audit is a straightforward way to pinpoint where your house is losing energy and wasting money . Addressing basic drafts and inefficiencies can trim 1 0% to 2 0% off your utility bills.

Step-by-Step DIY Home Energy Audit

1. Review Your Utility Bills
   • Gather your electric bills from the past 12 months. Look for usage trends, seasonal spikes, and compare your kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage against previous years or similar-sized homes using online tools like the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick.
2. Inspect for Air Leaks and Drafts
   • The Visual & Touch Check: Walk through your home and check areas where different building materials meet (e.g., foundation and walls, brick and siding), as well as around window and door frames, electrical outlets, switch plates, and baseboards.
   • The Smoke Test: On a windy day, turn on all exhaust fans (like bathroom or stove vents) to depressurize the house. Light an incense stick or a candle and slowly pass it along the edges of doors, windows, outlets, and recessed lighting. If the smoke wafts sideways or flickers wildly, you’ve found a draft.
   • The Dollar Bill Test: Shut a door or window on a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out without any resistance, the weather stripping is failing.
3. Check Insulation Levels
   • Inspect your attic, crawl spaces, and accessible basement rim joists. Measure the depth of the insulation with a ruler. If the insulation in your attic is level with or below the floor joists, you likely need more.
   • Check exterior walls by turning off the power to a specific outlet, removing the plastic cover plate, and carefully probing with a thin wooden stick to see if wall insulation is present.
4. Evaluate Your HVAC and Water Heating Systems
   • Check your forced-air furnace or AC air filter. Hold it up to a light; if it’s packed with dust and blocking light, replace it immediately. Filters should generally be changed every 30 to 60 days during peak use.
   • Look at exposed heating/cooling ducts or hot water pipes running through unheated areas (like attics or garages). If they aren't wrapped in insulation or have gaps at the joints, seal them with duct mastic (not standard duct tape).
5. Spot "Energy Vampires" and Inefficient Lighting
   • Walk around and take note of old incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs; replacing them with high-efficiency LEDs can slash lighting energy use by over 7 5%.
   • Identify electronics, entertainment systems, and kitchen appliances that draw standby power ("vampire load") even when turned off, and plug them into smart power strips.

Homeowner Experiences

I found a bunch of tiny drafts around my baseboards and electrical outlets that I never would have noticed without doing the incense trick. Caulking those up made a noticeable difference right away.

Checking the attic insulation was a real eye-opener. It was way below the joists, and once I topped it up, the house held temperature so much better instead of running the AC constantly.

To help narrow down where your major losses might be, tell me:

• What is the approximate age of your home?
• Is your primary heating/cooling system electric (heat pump/baseboard) or gas?
• Do you notice specific rooms that are always too hot or too cold?

A simple DIY energy audit can often reveal why your electric bill is higher than expected. You won't get the precision of a professional audit with specialized equipment, but you can identify many of the biggest energy drains in an hour or two. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends starting with air leaks, insulation, heating and cooling, lighting, appliances, and your past utility bills.

Here's a practical checklist:

1. Compare your bills

   • Gather the last 12 months of electric bills.
   • Look for:
     • Sudden jumps in kWh usage.
     • Seasonal patterns (summer AC or winter electric heat).
     • Higher rates or added fees.
   • If usage increased without changes in your household, something may be running longer or less efficiently.

2. Look for air leaks Walk around your home on a windy day and check:

   • Around doors and windows
   • Electrical outlets on exterior walls
   • Attic hatch
   • Plumbing and cable penetrations
   • Fireplace dampers

   If you feel a draft, weatherstripping or caulk may pay for itself quickly. Even small leaks can add up.

3. Inspect insulation Check:

   • Attic insulation depth
   • Insulation around ductwork
   • Exposed hot-water pipes
   • Basement or crawlspace walls (if applicable)

   Poor attic insulation is a common source of heating and cooling losses.

4. Check your HVAC system

   • Replace dirty air filters.
   • Make sure supply and return vents aren't blocked.
   • Listen for ducts leaking conditioned air.
   • Verify the thermostat schedule matches when you're actually home.

   Heating and cooling are often the largest contributors to household energy use.

5. Inspect lighting Replace any remaining incandescent or halogen bulbs with LEDs, especially in fixtures used several hours each day.

6. Evaluate major appliances Check the age and condition of:

   • Refrigerator
   • Freezer
   • Water heater
   • Clothes dryer
   • Dehumidifier

   Older appliances often use significantly more electricity than newer efficient models. Also check that refrigerator door seals are tight and condenser coils are clean.

7. Look for "always-on" devices Many electronics draw power continuously:

   • Cable boxes
   • Gaming consoles
   • Desktop computers
   • Chargers
   • Older TVs

   A smart power strip can help eliminate unnecessary standby power.

8. Check your water heater

   • Set it to about 120°F (49°C) if appropriate for your household.
   • Look for leaks.
   • Consider insulating older water heaters and exposed hot-water pipes.

Simple tools that help

• Flashlight (to spot gaps)
• Notepad or phone for photos
• Thermometer (optional)
• Plug-in electricity meter for individual appliances (optional but useful)

Prioritize fixes

Focus first on improvements that are inexpensive and often have the biggest impact:

• Seal air leaks
• Replace HVAC filters
• Adjust thermostat schedules
• Switch to LED bulbs
• Reduce unnecessary standby power

If your bill is still unusually high after these checks—or if you suspect hidden issues like duct leaks or poor insulation—a professional home energy audit can pinpoint problems using blower-door testing and infrared cameras. Some utilities also offer free or discounted audits, and qualified professional audits may be eligible for federal tax incentives if you meet the requirements.

You can conduct a simple DIY home energy audit to pinpoint where energy is being wasted, potentially reducing your bills by 10% to 20%. The most significant energy consumers are usually heating/cooling (47%), water heating (14%), and large appliances.

Here is a checklist for a DIY audit:

1. Identify Air Leaks (Drafts)

• Check Windows and Doors: Feel for drafts around frames on a windy day, or look for daylight through gaps.
• Check Outlets/Switches: Feel for air coming through electrical outlets on exterior walls.
• Use Tools: Use a lighted candle or incense stick; if the smoke wavers, there is a leak.
• Inspect Plumbing & Vents: Check where pipes and wires enter the house, especially in the basement or under sinks.

2. Inspect Insulation

• Attic Inspection: Check if insulation is at least level with or above your attic floor joists.
• Walls: If a room is consistently colder in the winter, the wall may have poor or no insulation.

3. Check HVAC System

• Filters: Change your furnace or AC filters every 1–3 months, or monthly during heavy use.
• Ductwork: Look for dirt streaks near duct seams, which indicate leaks. Use duct mastic to seal gaps, rather than tape.
• Exterior Unit: Ensure the outdoor AC/heat pump unit is clear of debris (leaves, twigs).

4. Audit Lighting and Electronics

• Switch to LED: Replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs to save 75% on lighting energy.
• Phantom Loads: Unplug electronics that consume energy when not in use (TVs, chargers, coffee makers).
• Power Strips: Use smart power strips to cut power to multiple devices at once.

5. Check Appliances & Water

• Refrigerator Gaskets: Check the seal around your refrigerator door; if it's weak, replace it.
• Water Heater: Set your water heater temperature to 120°F.
• Faucet Leaks: Repair leaky, hot water faucets immediately.

“I recently decided to conduct a DIY energy audit of my home. I was surprised at how many small changes could lead to big savings. Here's a quick guide on how to do your own audit: ... Check for drafts around windows and doors. Make sure your home is...”

For a more detailed analysis, many utility companies offer free, online, or low-cost, professional home energy audits.

To help me narrow down the cause, could you tell me:

• Do you have an electric furnace, heat pump, or baseboard heating?
• Is your home older (pre-1990) or newer?
• Are you seeing these high bills in summer, winter, or all year?

Performing a DIY home energy audit can help identify where your home is losing energy and wasting money, potentially reducing your bills by 10-20%. A simple audit involves checking for air leaks, inspecting insulation, analyzing appliance usage, and assessing lighting.

Here is a step-by-step guide to conducting a simple DIY energy audit.

1. Identify Air Leaks (The Biggest Culprit)

Air leaks around doors, windows, and through walls can significantly increase heating and cooling costs.

• The "Feel" Test: On a windy day, feel around the frames of windows and doors, as well as electrical outlets and baseboards on exterior walls.
• The Incense Test: Light an incense stick and move it around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. If the smoke blows sideways, you have a draft.
• Check Vents and Utility Entries: Inspect where pipes or wires enter the home (under sinks or in the basement/attic) for holes.
• Fix Leaks: Use caulk for fixed gaps and weatherstripping for movable parts like doors and windows.

2. Inspect Insulation

Proper insulation keeps your home comfortable, preventing it from losing heat in the winter and gaining it in the summer.

• Check the Attic: Check the insulation level; if it's below the floor joists, you may need more.
• Inspect Basement/Crawlspaces: Look for exposed pipes, particularly hot water pipes, and wrap them with foam insulation to reduce heat loss.
• Check Walls: If a room is consistently colder in the winter, it may have low or missing insulation.

3. Evaluate Heating and Cooling (HVAC) Systems

HVAC systems are often the largest energy consumer, accounting for 40-50% of home energy usage.

• Change Filters: Replace air filters every 30 to 60 days to prevent the system from working harder.
• Check Ductwork: Look for leaks, particularly where ductwork meets, indicated by dust streaks. Use duct mastic or metal tape to seal them, rather than standard duct tape.
• Outside Unit: Ensure the exterior air conditioning unit is clear of leaves and debris.

4. "Vampire" Electronics & Lighting

• Check Lighting: Replace any remaining incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs, which can cut lighting energy use by 75%.
• Unplug "Energy Vampires": Electronics such as computers, printers, coffee makers, and chargers use power even when turned off. Unplug them or use smart power strips to cut power entirely.
• Check Water Heater: Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120°F to save energy.

Summary Checklist for Your Audit

“An 'energy vampire' is a device that continues to use energy and drain power even when it's turned off.”

For a more in-depth assessment, check with your utility company to see if they offer free or low-cost professional audits, which often include a blower door test and thermographic imaging.

Would you like to know which specific appliances are likely the highest users, or perhaps low-cost tips to reduce the cost of heating/cooling specifically?

A simple DIY home energy audit can often identify the biggest sources of wasted electricity in an hour or two. You won't get the precision of a professional audit (which may use blower doors and infrared cameras), but you can often find the issues that have the largest impact.

Here's a practical checklist:

1. Compare your electric bills

Before walking through the house:

• Compare the last 12 months of bills.
• Look for seasonal spikes.
• Note your monthly kWh usage, not just the dollar amount (rates can change).

If your usage has suddenly increased, think about:

• A new appliance
• More heating or air conditioning
• An aging refrigerator or freezer
• An electric water heater running excessively

2. Check for air leaks

Heating and cooling are often the biggest energy users.

On a windy day, feel around:

• Exterior doors
• Window frames
• Electrical outlets on exterior walls
• Pipe penetrations
• Attic hatch
• Baseboards

Signs of leaks include:

• Drafts
• Dust streaks near gaps
• Daylight visible around doors

Simple fixes:

• Weatherstripping
• Door sweeps
• Caulk around trim and penetrations

Air sealing can significantly reduce wasted heating and cooling energy.

3. Inspect insulation

Look in your:

• Attic
• Crawl space
• Basement

Check for:

• Thin or missing insulation
• Wet or compressed insulation
• Exposed ductwork

If your attic floor joists are clearly visible above the insulation, you may benefit from adding more.

4. Examine your HVAC system

Check:

• Air filter (replace if dirty)
• Supply and return vents (make sure they're open and unobstructed)
• Ducts for disconnected sections or obvious leaks

A clogged filter forces the system to work harder.

5. Check your water heater

Look for:

• Temperature set much above 120°F (49°C)
• Leaking hot-water pipes
• Long, uninsulated hot-water pipes

Lowering the temperature (if appropriate for your household) and insulating accessible hot-water pipes can reduce energy use.

6. Review lighting

Count:

• Incandescent bulbs
• Halogen bulbs

Replacing frequently used bulbs with LEDs is often one of the quickest, lowest-cost upgrades.

7. Identify "always-on" electronics

Walk through your home and list devices that stay plugged in continuously:

• TVs
• Cable boxes
• Game consoles
• Printers
• Chargers
• Smart speakers

If many electronics cluster together, consider a smart power strip.

8. Check major appliances

Ask:

• Is the refrigerator over 15 years old?
• Does the freezer have excessive frost?
• Is the dryer vent clogged?
• Does the dishwasher have a heated-dry option enabled?

Older appliances can consume substantially more electricity than newer efficient models.

9. Test your thermostat settings

Typical energy-saving settings include:

• Higher cooling setpoints in summer when you're away.
• Lower heating setpoints in winter when sleeping or away.

If you don't already have one, a programmable or smart thermostat can help automate these adjustments.

10. Prioritize improvements

Rank findings by cost and potential savings.

When to consider a professional audit

A professional energy audit is worth considering if:

• Your bills remain unusually high after basic improvements.
• Some rooms are consistently much hotter or colder than others.
• You suspect hidden air leaks or insulation problems.
• You're planning major renovations or HVAC replacement.

Professional auditors can use blower door testing and thermal imaging to pinpoint issues that are difficult to detect visually. In some areas, utilities also offer rebates or discounted energy assessments.

If you tell me:

• the size of your home,
• whether you have electric or gas heat,
• and roughly how much your monthly electric bill is,

I can help you narrow down the most likely causes of the high usage.

Performing a DIY home energy audit can help you identify where your home is wasting energy and significantly lower your electricity bill. Key steps include checking for air leaks, inspecting insulation, analyzing lighting, and checking appliances.

Top 5 DIY Audit Checklist

1. Detect Air Leaks: Feel for drafts around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and baseboards. Use a lit stick of incense or a damp hand to locate incoming air; seal these gaps with caulk or weatherstripping.
2. Inspect Insulation: Check your attic to ensure insulation is level with or above your floor joists. Proper insulation prevents heat from escaping in the winter and entering in the summer.
3. Check HVAC Filters: Replace dirty air filters to improve efficiency. A clean filter allows your system to work less, preventing it from running constantly, which can add up to $50 per month to your bill.
4. Eliminate "Vampire" Power: Unplug electronics that consume energy when not in use, such as coffee makers, toasters, and chargers. These can account for 20% of your electric bill. Using smart power strips can make this easier.
5. Audit Lighting: Switch to LED bulbs, which use over 75% less energy than traditional bulbs and last 20–30 times longer.

Additional Quick Tips

• Refrigerator Gaskets: Check that your refrigerator door seals tightly.
• Fireplace Damper: Ensure your damper closes fully when not in use, as a loose one can lose 10-20% of your conditioned air.
• Hot Water: Turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120°F.
• Schedule Checkups: Have your heating and cooling systems inspected annually, as these systems consume 40-50% of home energy.

To give you more tailored advice, could you tell me:

• Do you have an electric furnace or a gas furnace? (This changes the biggest energy users)
• What is the rough age of your home? (Older homes tend to have more insulation/window issues)
• Have you noticed your bill spiking in just summer, just winter, or all year?

I can also share a link to a free online home energy analyzer to help with a virtual, comprehensive checkup.

A simple home energy audit can often identify the biggest sources of wasted electricity without specialized equipment. The goal is to find the largest energy users first, then look for easy, low-cost improvements.

Here's a practical walkthrough:

1. Review your last 12 months of electric bills

   • Compare usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh), not just the dollar amount.
   • Look for months with unusually high consumption.
   • If your utility offers hourly or daily usage data through an online portal, check for spikes.

2. Identify your biggest energy users In many homes, the largest electricity consumers are:

   • Heating and air conditioning
   • Electric water heater
   • Clothes dryer
   • Refrigerator/freezer
   • Pool pumps or well pumps
   • Older appliances

3. Check for air leaks On a windy day:

   • Feel around windows and doors for drafts.
   • Check where pipes, cables, and vents pass through walls.
   • Look around attic hatches and recessed lighting.
   • A lit incense stick or smoke pencil can help reveal moving air by showing smoke being pulled toward leaks. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends this type of DIY inspection for locating drafts.

4. Inspect insulation Look in the attic if it's accessible.

   • Is insulation evenly distributed?
   • Are there exposed ceiling joists?
   • Check for gaps around attic access doors.

5. Evaluate your HVAC system

   • Replace dirty air filters.
   • Make sure vents aren't blocked by furniture.
   • Listen for unusually long run times.
   • If the system is more than 15 years old, it may be significantly less efficient than newer equipment.

6. Check lighting Walk through your home and note any remaining incandescent or halogen bulbs. Replacing frequently used bulbs with LEDs can noticeably reduce electricity use over time.

7. Inspect the water heater

   • If it's electric, check its temperature setting (around 120°F / 49°C is often sufficient).
   • Feel exposed hot-water pipes—insulating them can reduce heat loss.
   • If the tank feels warm to the touch, an insulation blanket may help on some older models.

8. Look for always-on devices Electronics that run 24/7 add up:

   • Cable boxes
   • Gaming consoles
   • Older DVRs
   • Extra refrigerators or freezers in garages
   • Aquarium heaters
   • Dehumidifiers

9. Test major appliances Ask:

   • Is the refrigerator door sealing properly?
   • Does the dryer vent have lint buildup?
   • Are dishwasher and washing machine loads run full?

10. Prioritize fixes by savings Generally, the biggest payoff comes from:

11. Sealing air leaks

12. Improving attic insulation

13. HVAC maintenance or upgrades

14. Adjusting thermostat settings

15. Switching to LED lighting

16. Replacing inefficient appliances when they reach end of life

Simple tools that help

• Flashlight
• Notebook or phone for photos
• Incense stick (to detect drafts)
• Thermometer
• Tape measure
• Optional: an inexpensive plug-in electricity monitor for measuring the power use of individual appliances

When to consider a professional audit

If your bill is unexpectedly high even after checking the obvious issues, a professional energy audit can use tools like a blower door and infrared camera to identify hidden air leaks, insulation gaps, and duct problems that are difficult to find on your own. Some utilities also offer discounted or free home energy assessments.

If you can tell me:

• roughly how many square feet your home is,
• whether you have electric or gas heat,
• and what your average monthly electric bill is,

I can help narrow down the most likely causes of the high usage.