According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical American family spends over $1,386 a year on home utility bills, and a large portion of that energy is wasted. Not to fear: there are several things you can do each month to conserve energy and reduce the strain on your wallet.

Conduct a Home Energy Audit

An energy audit will show you which areas of your home use the most energy. You can conduct this yourself, contact your local utility or call an independent energy auditor. A comprehensive evaluation should include:

  • Checking insulation levels
  • Looking for open fireplace dampers
  • Searching for holes or cracks around doors, light and plumbing fixtures, and other places where air may leak out
  • Ensuring appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained

Temperature Tips

  • Weatherize your home – caulk and weather-strip any doors and windows that leak air.
  • Install a programmable thermostat that will reduce heating (or turn air conditioning up) at night and when you are not home.
  • Consider replacing single-pane windows with double-pane; they have coatings that reduce heat loss or gain, depending on the season.
  • Keep your thermostat under 70 degrees in the winter and a few degrees cooler than the outside temperature in the summer.

Water Use

  • Repair leaky faucets immediately.
  • Use low-flow showerheads.
  • Insulate your hot-water storage tank and pipes.
  • Drain a quart of water from your tank every three months to remove sediment (which impedes heat transfer and lowers efficiency).
  • Lower the hot water heater to 120 degrees.
  • Take short showers instead of baths.
  • Wash only full loads of dishes and/or laundry.
  • Air-dry dishes and line-dry clothes if possible.

Renewable Energy

There are more options than ever to use renewable energy. When building a new home, orient it to avoid overhead summer sun and to benefit from winter sun in cooler climates. Try a solar pool heating system, which can cut costs for heating swimming pools or hot tubs. Under certain conditions, installing solar cells might be right for you.

Vehicle Use

Improve gas mileage by:

  • Avoiding aggressive driving
  • Observing the speed limit
  • Removing roof racks or carriers if not used often
  • Keeping up with maintenance – clean air filters can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent
  • Ensuring tires are properly inflated and aligned
  • Using the correct grade of oil

Contact INSURICA for more Personal Lines resources.

This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information provided herein is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should it be construed as advice regarding coverage. Eligibility for coverage is not guaranteed and all coverages are limited to the terms and conditions contained in the applicable policy. © 2025 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

INSURICA
INSURICA

Share This Story

Stay Updated

Subscribe to the INSURICA blog and receive the latest news direct to your inbox.

Related Blogs

Group Health Premiums on the Rise: What Employers Need to Know

September 8th, 2025|Blog, Employee Benefits, Trending|

In 2025, rising group health premiums are becoming a central concern for employers. Carriers like UnitedHealth, Anthem, and CVS Health have issued projections showing significant cost increases—driven by escalating claims severity, specialty drug costs, and continued labor shortages across provider networks.

SECURE 2.0 Implementation: A New Era in Retirement Planning

September 5th, 2025|Blog, Employee Benefits|

The SECURE 2.0 Act, passed in late 2022 and now in active rollout through 2025, is reshaping the landscape of workplace retirement planning. Designed to expand access, modernize plan design, and improve financial preparedness, the law introduces over 90 new provisions—many of which are now surfacing in HR departments across the country.

Visitor Check-In and Access Control Best Practices

August 27th, 2025|Blog, Education|

Visitor check-in and access control best practices are essential for ensuring campus safety. With increasing security concerns in schools, implementing visitor check-in and access control best practices helps minimize unauthorized access, protect students and staff, and ensure a safe learning environment.

Go to Top