We are all aware of the little things we can do in order to save energy at home, like turning off the lights in the rooms we are not using, unplugging chargers when they are not in use, and washing full loads of laundry, among others. However, there are other things we can do that will make us reduce our bills and save money.

Here are some of them:

Install ceiling fans.

During summer, ceiling fans help a lot in cooling a room. During winter, the blades of ceiling fans can be reversed so they keep the heater air in the room from rising.

Use light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).

These light bulbs use about 70% less energy than incandescent bulbs and they also last ten times as long. Changing just one bulb can make you save about $30 to $80 in electricity costs. Considering the average household can have at least 50 light bulbs, those savings can definitely add up fast.

Cover floors with carpeting or throw rugs.

Bare floors tend to suck all of the heat out of a room. If you live in an area with a cooler climate, it is best to put down carpets or rugs since both act as natural insulators and they will absorb and radiate heat.

Clean or change your air filters.

Dirty filters are known for ruining your AC’s efficiency. What you can do is clean them if you have the washable type or you can change them every month during cooler months. Your furnace filters are also in need of changing in order for it to run efficiently – this needs to happen every three months or so. You can also close your vents so that the rooms you are not using are not heated or cooled.

Replace old appliances.

If you have a refrigerator, dishwasher or dryer that needs to be replaced – do so. If your old appliances, however, are still working just fine then there is no need to have them replaced.

Replace or upgrade your windows.

If your windows are leaky or old, then replacing them with energy-efficient ones will instantly let you save energy and money.

Turn down the water heater.

Did you know that heating water can account for up to 25% of the energy consumed in your home? Most water heaters come at a 140-degree preset but it really only needs to be at the warm setting (120 degrees). For every 10 degrees that you turn it down, you will get to save about 3 to 5% on your bill.