Our homes are designed to be ENERGY STAR® certified to provide greater comfort, well-being, and savings. They also deliver better durability, plus, reduced utility and maintenance costs compared to new homes without certification.

Maximizing your home’s energy performance is easier than you may realize. To get started, check out these energy-saving tips and seasonal maintenance steps:

Lighting

Use ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs in your fixtures — they use up to 90% less energy than standard bulbs and last at least 15x longer.

Lights and appliances

Turn off lights and appliances when you leave a room — it’s a good habit and one of the simplest ways to save energy. Smart plugs can also be useful to automate schedules.

Outlets

Unplug electronics, such as cell phone chargers and power strips when they’re not being used to reduce unnecessary costs on utility bills.

Laundry

Wash full laundry loads in cold water whenever possible to help maximize the efficiency of each cycle. Keep in mind that washers use the same amount of energy whether your load is small or large. To further boost efficiency, use cold water to reduce the energy needed to heat water.

HVAC equipment

Have a qualified contractor perform tune-ups in the spring and fall to help keep your cooling and heating system working at peak performance. Maintaining your home’s equipment can have a big impact on utility bills and help identify small issues before they become costly problems.

Air filter

Check your air filter monthly and replace at least once every three months to help keep your HVAC system operating at its best, which includes reducing the amount of energy needed to circulate air throughout your home.

Temperature control

Keeping curtains and blinds closed during hot days to block out sunlight can maintain a cooler indoor temperature so that your air conditioner doesn’t need to work as hard to cool your home.

Windows and doors

Check the weather stripping around your doors annually to keep drafts from coming in, and replace as needed, as they can wear down over time.