Cold weather forces your heating unit to run more to keep your home comfortable. The more it runs, the more energy you use, and the more your bill goes up. Here are some ways to save:

• Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees or less and dress in layers. Go lower when you’re away from home or sleeping (if you have a heat pump, it’s best to maintain a more constant setting).
• Consider using a programmable or smart thermostat. These devices are available in models compatible with heat pumps.
• Seal leaks around windows and doors. In a pinch, you can use cardboard, plastic, or blankets to minimize heat loss.
• Replace filters and keep your heating and air conditioning equipment clean and well maintained. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm.
• Reduce or eliminate use of natural gas logs, grills, and other nonessential appliances.
• Close vents and doors to unused areas for gas systems (but not for electric systems).
• Close the fireplace damper to avoid losing heat up the chimney. Consider placing an inflatable-type insulator in the chimney. Make sure to remove the insulation and open the damper before lighting a fire.

The first step in saving money with heating and cooling is to set your thermostat for savings. KUB recommends a setting of 78 in the summer and a maximum of 68 in the winter. Each degree change saves you 1 percent on your heating or cooling bill.

• Try wearing extra layers in the winter and thinner, loose-fitting fabrics in the summer to stay comfortable without having to adjust the thermostat.
• Consider a programmable or smart thermostat to customize the settings to your schedule. It can pay for itself in two years and continue to save you money in the future. You can change your thermostat manually as well. Just be sure that you don't turn a heat pump's thermostat back up by more than three degrees at a time to avoid reheating with expensive auxiliary heat -- unless you have a newer programmable thermostat that doesn't use auxiliary heat to re-heat. However, lowering your gas heat's thermostat 5 degrees can have a big impact.
• Set your thermostat higher or shut the unit off (depending on your unit, plants, pets, etc.) if you'll be out of town in the summer. If you'll be out of town in the winter, setting the thermostat at 55 degrees will keep the pipes from freezing. When you return, don't turn a heat pump's thermostat back up by more than three degrees at a time to avoid reheating with auxiliary heat.

• Consider an ENERGY STAR product when purchasing a new water heater and ensure it has the proper capacity for your family's needs.
• Set thermometer to 140 degrees Fahrenheit if you have an automatic dishwasher. Otherwise, set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Reducing from 140 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees Fahrenheit can save over 18 percent on energy costs.
• Turn off the water heater when you will be away for the weekend unless there is the chance of freezing.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
• Insulate the hot water storage tank and piping.
• Provide annual maintenance and drain a few gallons of water from the tank every six months. This increases the efficiency and life of the water heater by removing sludge from the tank.
• Use a water heater timer for electric units.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), approximately five percent of the typical household’s energy bill is allocated to lighting. Learn more about today’s efficient lighting choices from the DOE Energy Saver program. 

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends starting with replacing the five most frequently used lights in your home with ENERGY STAR-rated models, and you can save $45 each year.

• Upgrade to efficient LED lights.  
• Turn off lights when you leave the room.
• Use lighting controls such as occupancy sensors.
• Use task lighting (light for the specific task being done) instead of lighting the entire room.
• Choose light colors for walls and ceilings. Light colors reflect light and reduce the need for artificial lighting.
• Use floor lamps and hanging lamps near corners. The walls will reflect the light.
• Let the sunshine in! Open drapes and blinds on sunny, cool days. This reduces the need for extra lighting and warms the room in the winter.

Consider an ENERGY STAR rated product, if you're in the market for a new computer. Be sure to donate or recycle your old equipment. Knox County and the City of Knoxville accept electronics from residents at the Household Hazardous Waste facility.

• Use energy management settings for your personal computer, monitor, and printers.
• Although most modern devices are energy efficient, you can save energy by turning off computers, monitors, and accessories (e.g., speakers and printers) when you're done for the day. It's a common misconception that you should always leave them on.
• If you have servers, consider server virtualization and efficient cooling methods. Audit your equipment and update or condense where possible to save on energy costs.

Learn more about saving energy related to your computer and electronics from the U.S. Department of Energy.

• Consider an ENERGY STAR product when purchasing a new washer.
• Wash full loads, but don't overload. Your washer will work less efficiently and your clothes won't be clean.
• Wash clothes in cold water. Washing in cold water can save as much as 90 percent of the energy used with warm and hot settings, and water heating is one of the highest energy uses in an average home. A separate rinse water temperature setting allows cold water rinse with any wash temperature.
• Check the hose and faucet connections frequently for leaks and loose fittings.
• Pretreat stains, use the soak cycle, or let the washer fill and then turn it off to soak. All are less costly than rewashing.
• Match the water level to the load size. Some washers have a mini-tub feature that allows for very small loads and low water usage.
• Use high-speed spin when possible to remove more water so the dryer doesn't have to work as hard.
• Use the correct amount of detergent. Too little results in clothes that aren't clean; too much causes the washer to work too hard and may require an extra rinse. Washers with suds-saver control allow reuse of the initial wash water for lightly soiled laundry.

• Consider an ENERGY STAR product when purchasing a new dryer.
• Dry like-weight items together.
• Clean the lint filter after every load.
• Dry full loads of clothes without overloading. Generally, a washer load is a dryer load.
• Don't over-dry. It wastes energy, sets in wrinkles, and stiffens fabrics. Use the automatic drying cycle. It determines when clothes are dry and automatically turns off the dryer.
• Put the next load in before the dryer cools from the first load. That way, the dryer does not have to heat back up again.
• Consider the cool-down cycle for clothes that may need ironing. It tumbles clothes in room temperature air during the last five to ten minutes of the cycle to reduce wrinkles, ironing, and energy consumption.
• Keep the outside dryer vent clean.
• Never add wet items to a partially dry load.
• Vent the dryer outside. Inside venting can cause moisture and lint buildup in your house.