Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our office is open to visitors by appointment only. Please call or email from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
703-324-7136 TTY 711
12000 Government Center Pkwy, Suite 533
Fairfax, VA 22035
John Morrill
Director

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Energy Saving Tips

These low- and no-cost tips can help you save energy and money. From lighting to your hot water heater, to air leaks and insulation, read on to learn how you can make your home as energy efficient as possible.

collage of pictures of energy savings tips featured below

  • Turn off the lights when leaving a room.
  • Install timers, sensors, or other controls that automatically turn off the lights when you leave.
  • Install dimmers to save electricity when light levels can be lowered. Before installing, check that the dimmers are compatible with the light bulbs you want to use.
  • Switch to ENERGY STAR®-qualified LEDs (light emitting diodes) when buying new light bulbs and replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs to save energy and money. LEDs use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Learn more on our Guide to Energy-Efficient Lighting.
  • Incorporate daylighting in your home. Use natural lighting from windows and skylights whenever possible to avoid the use of artificial lighting.

LED vs conventional lightbulbs

 

  • Look for the ENERGY STAR® logo when buying or replacing electronics and use 10% to 50% less energy compared to standard electronics. Check out the ENERGY STAR® product list to learn more about energy savings per product type.
  • Set your computer's power management options so that it enters sleep mode after 30 minutes (or less) of inactivity.
  • Vanquish vampire energy. Vampire energy, or phantom energy, refers to the power consumed by devices that appear to be off but are still sucking electricity from outlets. Vampire energy can account for between 10% to 20% of a home's monthly electricity consumption. Learn more about vampire energy and take a stab at saving electricity with one of the following activities:
    • Turn off and unplug equipment when not in use. 
    • Using a conventional power strip, turn the power off to all devices plugged into the strip at one time.
    • Use a smart strip to automatically disconnect power based on occupancy, a timer, or a "master" appliance. This works well for offices and entertainment systems.

Horizontal photo of female hand removing power cord receptacle into electric wall outlet

 

  • Look for the Federal Trade Commission’s yellow EnergyGuide label showing estimated annual energy use and operating costs when purchasing new appliances or electronics.
  • Look for the EPA WaterSense logo when purchasing plumbing fixtures to save 20% or more water than comparable, conventional products.
  • Look for the ENERGY STAR® logo when buying dishwashers, water heaters and clothes washers or dryers to reduce your energy and water use. Consider switching from natural gas-powered appliances to electric appliances to increase energy and cost savings. 
  • Install low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads.
  • Take shorter and colder showers to reduce your water heating costs.
  • Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and realize energy savings of 4% to 22% annually. Use the vacation setting or turn the temperature down further if you'll be out of the house for extended periods.
  • Cover pipes with insulation if the pipes leaving your water heater are not already insulated.
  • Replace an outdated refrigerator with an ENERGY STAR®-certified model that meets your household’s needs. Recycle your old appliance instead of using it as a second refrigerator; ENERGY STAR® models use 35% less energy, on average, than older, less energy efficient models. 
  • Turn off your refrigerator's automatic icemaker to save 15% to 20% on your refrigerator's energy use. If your icemaker does not have an on/off switch, lift the metal arm to the "up" position.
  • Wash clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot water. The majority of energy used by washing machines goes to heating water. Using warm water instead of hot can cut energy use in half. Using cold water with a cold-water detergent can mean even greater savings. Wash full loads of laundry or use appropriate water-level settings for smaller loads. 
  • Skip the dryer. Use clothes lines or drying racks to air dry clothes and save money on your energy bill. Still want to use the dryer? Make sure you clean the lint trap before each load and don’t over dry your load. Balance your load’s drying time based on the size and weight of your load or use your dryer’s energy-saving, moisture sensing feature.
  • Skip rinsing and/or washing your dishes by hand and use the dishwasher. Run your dishwasher with a full load and use the air-dry option to reduce your energy and water costs.

Washing line with clean laundry and clothespins outdoor

 

Person checking a filter of air handling unit for replacement a new filter

  • Clean or replace filters regularly (at least every three months). Dirty air filters make heating and cooling systems less efficient, meaning they use more energy to achieve the same results. Check your owner's manual for guidance.
  • Keep vents, radiators, or baseboard heaters clean to help them deliver conditioned air more efficiently. Be sure that they are not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
  • Install a programmable thermostat to automatically control the temperature of your home based on a set schedule. You can also adjust the thermostat manually when you leave the house.
  • Turn the temperature up in the summer and down in the winter when you won't be home to save on heating and cooling costs. Learn more and “Take the Two-Degree Challenge”.
  • Keep your curtains open to help heat your home with the sun’s warmth when it’s colder; in warmer weather, close your window shades and drapes to keep out the summer sun.
  • Have your heating and cooling system professionally checked on an annual basis. Your system will perform better and last longer with proper maintenance.
  • Upgrade older home heating and cooling systems to more energy efficient alternatives and consider switching from natural gas heating systems to electric to increase energy savings. Look for ENERGY STAR®-certified products and take advantage of the federal tax credits for energy efficiency. Refer to our Home Energy page for more information. 
  • Adjust ceiling fans as needed. Ceiling fans** can make rooms feel more comfortable without the need to adjust the temperature. In the summer, spin fans counterclockwise to push air straight down. In the winter, spin fans slowly clockwise to move warm air around the room. Remember to turn fans off when rooms are unoccupied.

**Please note that fans are not a replacement for air conditioning and are not sufficient for extreme heat or for treating heat-related illnesses. For temperatures above 95 degrees, fans are discouraged, because blowing hot air on the human body can increase rather than decrease body temperature. View Fairfax County's extreme heat resources. For help with air conditioning or bill payments, please see the Cooling Assistance program.  To learn more about how heat is changing over time and how the county is adapting to changing conditions, please see Resilient Fairfax. 

 

In addition to saving energy and money, eliminating drafts will improve your comfort at home. Although some drafts can be felt with your hand, many are harder to detect. Visit our Thermal Camera Loan Program page to learn how to borrow a thermal camera and find hot and cold spots in your home. You can borrow a Conserve Kit from the Fairfax County Public Library which contains free consumables, such as socket sealers, caulking, and weatherstripping, that you can use to help seal your home. Once you've found your problem areas and have your Conserve Kit, here are some simple solutions to consider: 

  • Install foam socket sealers behind exterior wall outlets and switch plates to block potential air leaks.
  • Install door sweeps on exterior doors to minimize air filtration.
  • Add weatherstripping around windows and door frames to ensure there is a tight seal when closed.
  • Caulk cracks and gaps that can be found in concrete, around joists, or between a home and its foundation, and around openings to the outside such as plumbing pipes and electrical or cable wiring.
  • Replace drafty windows, skylights, and exterior doors with more energy efficient models.   
  • Seal up your chimney or fireplace. Once all embers are finished burning and the ashes are cold, the damper to your wood-burning fireplace should be closed. You can also purchase a fireplace plug to seal up your chimney in the warmer months of the year.
  • Take steps to address inadequate or missing insulation which is often "hidden" in attics, walls, ceilings, and floors.
  • Take advantage of federal tax credits for energy efficiency when addressing home air leaks and updating insulation. Find information on qualifying home improvements and equipment upgrades at the Department of Energy’s Energy Savings Hub. 
  • Hire a professional to help insulate your home. A professional energy auditor can assess your home's insulation level and provide cost-effective recommendations. Refer to our Home Energy Assessment resources section on our Home Energy page for more information.

Hands Applying Weather Seal Caulk to Window Frame.

 

Home Energy

Home is where the heart is. It’s also where the energy bills are. On this webpage, you’ll information, resources and assistance to encourage energy-saving activities and behaviors at home.

Explore Home Energy Information


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