As a conscientious homeowner, you understand the importance of using less energy. Making your home more energy-efficient not only helps the environment but also saves you money, making it beneficial for everyone. Therefore, it is probably not a lack of concern or initiative that has prevented you from making modifications to your home in the interest of energy efficiency. Rather, you may be unsure where to start or unclear on which measures will produce the best results for the expense involved. Fortunately, there are many simple, inexpensive ways to use energy more responsibly, and here are a few suggestions.

1. Avoid Peak Energy Use Times

It stands to reason that more people use more energy during certain times of the day. For example, it may not surprise you to learn that nighttime is an off-peak time for energy consumption, since most people are asleep. The peak energy use period is actually 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., which makes sense because this is the time when most people return home from work.

The high energy demand during this time can put strain on electric transformers and other parts of the power grid. You can help to relieve the strain by avoiding the use of high-energy appliances during this time period. For example, instead of running the dishwasher or doing a load of laundry as soon as you get home from work, wait until right before you go to bed or first thing in the morning.

2. Prevent Unnecessary Energy Consumption

Whenever an electrical device is plugged in, even when it is not in use, it still consumes a baseline level of energy. This includes electronics like televisions, DVD players, and computers, as well as kitchen appliances such as toasters and coffee makers. You can save energy by unplugging these devices when not in use, or at least allowing them to go into hibernation or sleep mode to cut down on the amount of energy they consume. An easy way to cut all the power off to multiple devices at once is to plug them all into the same power strip and then switch it off.

3. Change the Way You Heat and Cool Your Home

Your HVAC system is one of the biggest energy consumers in your home. However, you can save on energy by changing the way you use it. In the first place, you may be sending hot or cold air to an area of your house that doesn't really need it. A smart thermostat allows you to control which areas are heated or cooled and at what times of the day. This allows you to direct the central heating and air conditioning where it is most needed.

By using alternative heating and cooling sources, you can cut down on the use of your HVAC system. For example, during the winter, you can open up blinds and shades allow sunlight in the windows to heat your home naturally. If only one room of the house is occupied during the day, you can turn down the thermostat and use a space heater. During the summer, you can close the shades and blinds to prevent the sun from warming the house. Electric fans can help the air circulate, making a room feel cooler. No one is necessarily suggesting that you avoid the use of your central air or heating altogether, but it may not be necessary to run them at all times.

4. Prevent Air Leaks

While it is important to monitor energy consumption within your home, it is also a good idea to check the energy that is going out. This can happen due to air leaks around your doors and windows, and it forces your HVAC system to work harder. You can have a professional check your home for leaks and then either install weather-stripping and/or caulking or have your old windows replaced with energy-efficient models.

Replacing your windows is the most expensive of these suggestions. However, you may be able to save money through government incentives. Check with state and federal government agencies to explore your options.