Ten Tips to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home in 2025

CONSERVATION   JANUARY 2, 2025

We all have a role to play in reducing our carbon footprints. As we usher in the new year, a great starting point is improving energy efficiency at home. You don’t need a costly renovation to significantly reduce your home’s energy usage. Small, affordable improvements and simple habit changes can make a difference. Here are 10 cost-effective and impactful energy-saving home improvements you can make in 2025:

Seal air leaks: Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal gaps around doors, windows, and other areas where air may leak in or out. Cost: $20–$50 for materials.

Upgrade to LED lighting: Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs, which use up to 75% less energy and last much longer.Cost: $3–$10 per bulb.

Get a programmable or smart thermostat: Automatically adjust the temperature when you’re away or asleep to reduce heating and cooling costs. Cost: $150-$300.

Insulate your attic: Improve insulation in your attic to reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Cost: $1,500-$3000 (DIY options are cheaper).

Switch to low-flow shower heads and faucets: Reduce water usage and lower energy costs for water heating. Cost: $10–$50 per fixture.

Use a power strip for electronics: Many plugged-in devices use electricity even when you’re not using them. Plug devices into a power strip and turn it off when not in use to eliminate “phantom” energy use. Cost: $10–$30.

Replace air filters regularly: Clean or replace HVAC system filters every 1–3 months to improve system efficiency and air quality. Cost: $10–$30 per filter. 

Add ceiling fans: Use ceiling fans to improve air circulation and reduce the need for heating or cooling. Cost: $50–$200 per fan. 

Install window film or shades: Apply heat-blocking window film or use insulated shades to reduce heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. Cost: $20–$100 per window.

Wash clothes in cold water: Up to 90 percent of the energy used to wash clothes comes from heating water. On average, it costs 68 cents/load to wash in hot/warm water vs. 4 cents/load in cold water. Cost: $0

These improvements will not only reduce your carbon footprint, they will also offer significant savings on energy bills over time without a large upfront investment.

Learn more @ EnergySaver.Gov