PALM BAY, Fla., Oct. 25, 2026 — Florida's cooler months are a good time to look at how a home uses energy. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) publishes a free consumer handbook, Energy Saver: Tips on Saving Money and Energy in Your Home, with do-it-yourself steps for heating, cooling, lighting and electronics. Here is what the guide says, step by step.
Step 1: Adjust the thermostat
The DOE guide says you "can save as much as 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat down 7°–10°F for 8 hours a day in the fall and winter," and turning it up in spring and summer (DOE Energy Saver guide).
There is a caution for heat pump owners, a common system type. The guide says not to do this "without a smart or programmable thermostat designed for use with heat pumps" (DOE Energy Saver guide).
The guide describes a smart thermostat as a Wi-Fi enabled device that automatically adjusts heating and cooling settings. It says smart thermostats that earn the ENERGY STAR label "have been independently certified, based on actual field data, to deliver energy savings" (DOE Energy Saver guide).
Step 2: Use your ceiling fan
According to the guide, "Using a ceiling fan allows you to turn up the thermostat about 4°F without any loss in comfort" (DOE Energy Saver guide). Fans cool people through a wind chill effect, the guide says, so it recommends turning a fan off when you are not in the room (DOE Energy Saver guide).
Step 3: Seal air leaks
The DOE says that by sealing uncontrolled air leaks, "you can save 10%–20% on your heating and cooling bills" (DOE Energy Saver guide). The guide points to seams, cracks and openings to the outside as places where air leaks occur (DOE Energy Saver guide).
Step 4: Change the filter
"Replacing furnace filters regularly will keep your system running efficiently," the guide says (DOE Energy Saver guide). Its heating tips recommend cleaning or replacing furnace filters "once a month or as recommended" (DOE Energy Saver guide).
Two more heating tips from the same list: keep warm-air registers clear of furniture, carpeting and drapes, and open the shades on south-facing windows during the day to let sunlight in, then close them at night (DOE Energy Saver guide).
Step 5: Check the water heater
The guide says you can set your water heater to 120°F, and advises checking your dishwasher manual for instructions specific to your model, since some dishwashers have an internal heating element (DOE Energy Saver guide).
Step 6: Swap the most-used bulbs
The guide says replacing your home's five most frequently used light fixtures or bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified products can save $75 each year (DOE Energy Saver guide). It also says ENERGY STAR certified light fixtures use 75% less energy, produce about 70% less heat than traditional models with incandescent bulbs, and last about 10 times longer (DOE Energy Saver guide).
Step 7: Tame idle electronics
"Advanced power strips prevent electronics from drawing energy when they aren't being used," the guide says (DOE Energy Saver guide). It lists timers, activity monitors and remotes as features to look for, and suggests unplugging battery chargers when batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use (DOE Energy Saver guide).
A quick checklist
- Thermostat: set back 7°–10°F for 8 hours a day in fall and winter, unless you have a heat pump without a compatible thermostat.
- Fans: on when the room is occupied, off when it is empty.
- Leaks: seal seams, cracks and openings.
- Filters: check monthly or as recommended.
- Water heater: 120°F.
- Bulbs: replace the five you use most.
- Electronics: advanced power strips; unplug idle chargers.
Every figure above comes from the DOE guide (DOE Energy Saver guide). Your actual savings will depend on your home, your equipment and how you use it. The guide is free to download, so readers can check the numbers and decide which steps fit their household.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy, "Energy Saver: Tips on Saving Money and Energy in Your Home" (2022): https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/energy-saver-guide-2022.pdf
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