We recommend an energy audit to help identify top priorities for the short and long term. Below are some tips to get you started:

• Check the weather-stripping and caulking around windows and doors, including the door leading to the garage. Air that leaks through cracks and gaps around windows, doors and siding creates as much of an energy drain as leaving a window open all year long, according to Energy Star.
• Hire a licensed electrician to inspect your home’s wiring system (at least once a decade).
• Fix all leaks.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs.
• Kitchen and bath exhaust flaps should closed when exhaust fans are not running. That will prevent a back-flow of outdoor air into the home.

Considering a remodel or upgrading appliances?

• Choose a metal or tile roof (along with a radiant barrier on the underside of the roof in the attic) which are preferred over traditional shingles, because traditional shingles will transfer heat to the house. If you use shingles, choose a light color shingle to reflect sun rays.
• Use light colors on the exterior of your home. Light-colored exteriors keep the house cooler and don’t fade as much or as quickly as dark colors. Choose light-colored limestone over darker-colored or red brick.
• If you don’t already have it, consider adding foam ceiling insulation.
• Replace your water heater, HVAC and other major appliances with energy efficient appliances. Consider an energy-efficient heat pump which differs from a central air conditioning system.
• Invest in new double-pane windows.
• Add solar screens and tint to windows to reduce heat from sunlight.
• Choose light-colored countertops in your kitchen and bathrooms: They reflect light and reduce the need for artificial light.
• Light-colored flooring also better reflects light and reduces energy use.

Learn more about going solar »

A home energy audit will help identify opportunities to reduce your monthly energy bill, and you can do it yourself. To get started, you'll need your home's square footage, the type of foundation it’s built on, the current amount of attic floor or roof insulation and a copy of your last electric bill.

Start your energy audit »

• Check the weather-stripping and caulking around windows.
• Consider installing low-E windows, which can reduce heat loss by up to 50 percent.
• Invest in new double-pane windows.
• Keep windows and doors closed when using an air conditioner or heater.

Read more about window efficiency in Summer tips & Winter tips, below.

A smart thermostat is a wireless device that can be programmed remotely to schedule temperature settings. You can change settings from a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.

Some smart thermostats provide weather forecasts and let manufacturers make software upgrades seamlessly. Others adjust automatically to humidity and other weather conditions. Some even learn and adapt to your habits. 

On their own, programmable thermostats do not make your HVAC system more efficient. But once programmed, and especially when used with Bluebonnet’s free tools for members, like our Energy Tracking Tool and text/email alerts, smart thermostats help reduce energy bills.

Log in to MyBluebonnet »

• Clean or replace air filters once a month to keep your HVAC running efficiently.
• Spring for an annual inspection of your system to keep things running efficiently and smoothly. 
• Get an expert to test your air-conditioning system ducts for leaks. Leaking ducts in the attic, crawl space or floor cavities waste cool air and draw hot, humid air in from outside, down the chimney or from the garage.
• Clean out your HVAC with a garden hose on a regular basis to keep the surrounding area free of debris.
• Move insulation from above the ceiling up to the roofline, using spray foam insulation rather than loose-fill. That allows the AC system to be placed in a cooler location underneath the insulation, rather than in a space that’s hotter in summer.

Washer and dryer

• When washing clothes, wash a full load and use cold water whenever possible.
• Hang your clothes to dry when possible to save energy.

In the kitchen

• Wait until you have a full load to run the dishwasher and let your dishes air dry.
• Use a slow cooker or outdoor grill in summer months to keep your kitchen cooler.
• Turn off kitchen, bath and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you're finished cooking or bathing.

Unplug

Even when turned off, most modern electronics consume electricity so long as they’re still plugged in. That’s called a “Phantom Load” otherwise known as “Vampire” or “Ghost” energy. Consider unplugging electronic devices or appliances that you don’t use often like an extra TV, laptops, phones, and chargers for all devices to save energy.  Just plug the device back in when you need it.

Use power strips or advanced power strips

Power strips let you toggle the power flow on and off. In off mode you will completely disconnect the power supply, which also makes it easy to manage electricity used by an extra TV hooked up to a DVD player and gaming systems.

Advanced Power Strips (APS) look just like ordinary power strips, except that they have built-in features that are designed to reduce the amount of energy used by many consumer electronics. There are several different types of APSs on the market, but they all operate on the same basic principle of shutting off the supply power to devices that are not in use. By replacing your standard power strip with an APS, you can significantly cut the amount of electricity used by your home once and entertainment center devices, and save money on your electric bill.

Set up a charging station with a power strip. Simply plug your chargers into the power strip and turn the strip off and on as needed. Using a light switch that turns power outlets on and off accomplishes the same end with even less effort.

Power down

Simply set your computer to sleep mode, or turn off your monitor when you’ll be away for more than 20 minutes.

Turn off your computer and monitor if you won’t be using your PC for more than two hours.

Stopping a game and powering down your video game console instead of leaving it paused for a prolonged period could lead to big savings.

Keep your thermostat clear 

Move lamps, TVs and other appliances away from your thermostat. The extra heat can cause the AC to run longer.

There are many simple things you can do to reduce your energy use with lighting.

• Use natural lighting whenever possible.
• Open your blinds and window coverings when those windows do not have direct sunlight.
• Turn your lights off when you leave a room.
• Use timers and dimmers to lower light levels and reduce energy use.
• Strategically place task lighting: Hanging lights above your kitchen island or work counter that are close to your head are better than light fixtures in the ceiling. Table and floor lamps are more efficient for reading than recessed lights in the ceiling.
• Avoid recessed light fixtures in a high ceiling because they require more energy to project light down where you need it.
• Purchase ENERGY STAR-qualified fixtures.
• Use energy-efficient light bulbs like LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. The easiest solution is to buy a more efficient bulb any time an old one goes out. An LED’s operating life isn’t affected by turning it on and off, which is an advantage of these more expensive bulbs and they are dramatically more efficient than conventional incandescent lights.

More about LED Bulbs:

• environmentally friendly
• cast a whiter light
• cause less light pollution
• come in an array of colors
• project less heat
• options such as being dimmable and even “connected,” meaning they can be controlled through an app on a smartphone or tablet
• an investment that will pay off over time

Porch and yard lights can be converted to energy-efficient LED bulbs, too. Some fixtures come with motion sensors and timers so lights are not on all night. 

Want an LED security light? 

Bluebonnet uses LED fixtures in all of its new security lights, as well as old ones that need to be replaced.

To learn more, contact a Member Service Representative »

There are many ways you can save with your water usage:

• Lower the temperature on your water heater to “warm" or 120 degrees F.
• Wash clothes in cold water and use hot only for very dirty loads.
• Take shorter showers and use low-flow shower heads.
• Repair leaky faucets immediately.
• Use low-flow toilets to reduce water usage.
• Drain 1-2 gallons from the bottom of your water heater tank each year to reduce sediment build-up.

There are a number of tax credits and financial assistance options available to help offset the cost of energy-efficient appliances, weatherization and home improvements.

Here are a few good resources:

• Federal Energy Star Website  

• Texas State Energy Conservation Office  

• IRS: Home Energy Efficiency Credits

• Energy.gov

• Texas Weatherization Assistance Program 

Low-income members of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative may qualify for a home assessment and improvements to reduce their power bills through the Texas Weatherization Assistance Program. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs runs the Weatherization Assistance Program. You may also contact the agency directly at 888-606-8889.

More weatherization resources

Travis County

Travis County Health and Human Services and Veterans Service

traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services/weatherization

512-854-7250

Guadalupe County

Alamo Area Council of Governments

aacog.com/120/weatherization-assistance-program

210-362-5282

Burleson and Washington Counties

Brazos Valley Community Action Programs

capbv.org/programs/weatherization

979-213-4054

Austin, Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays and Lee Counties

Giddings Combined Community Action Program

ccaction.com/community-action/weatherization-program

979-540-2980

Encuentra ayuda y mejora tu uso de energía

Los programas federales de ayuda a la climatización pueden reducir la carga del costo de la energía para los hogares que califican

Los miembros de bajos ingresos de Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative pueden calificar para una evaluación de su hogar y mejoras para reducir sus facturas de electricidad a través del programa de asistencia de climatización Texas Weatherization Assistance Program. Obten más información en 888-606-8889 o en tdhca.state.tx.us.

Recursos regionals de climatizatíon

Condado de Travis

Salud y Servicios Humanos, y Servicios de Veteranos: 512-854-7250

traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services/weatherization

Condado de Guadalupe

Consejos de Gobierno del Área del Alamo: 210-362-5282

aacog.com/120/weatherization-assistance-program

Condados de Burleson y Washington

Programas de Acción Comunitaria de Brazos Valley: 979-213-4054

capbv.org/programs/weatherization

Condados de Austin, Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee

Programas de Acción Comunitaria Giddings: 979-540-2980

ccaction.com/community-action/weatherization-program

• Starting with your air conditioning unit, a big-ticket energy user, change your AC filters every month. It’s true — clean filters means your AC unit does not have to work as hard to cool your home.
• Check the rating of your AC filter. Believe it or not, a higher number isn’t always better. The minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) ranges from 1-12. A higher number means better filtration, but it also requires more energy to pull air through, resulting in a bigger bill. Unless you need a higher-number filter, consider one rated between 6 and 8 or check your HVAC manual for best practices.
• Stock up on clean filters so you can replace them every month during the summer. A dirty filter slows airflow, forcing the AC to use more energy. 
• Get an inspection of your air conditioning unit.
• Don’t block the supply and return air vents in your home with furniture or by closing them off. Blocking the vents makes your AC work harder.
• In summer, set your thermostat between 78 and 80 degrees when at home and above 80 degrees when away, especially from 3 to 7 p.m. Can’t stand 78 degrees? Go someplace cool during the hottest part of the day: the library, grocery store, mall, gym, coffee shop.
• Place lamps and TVs — anything that generates heat — away from internal thermostats.
• Supplement your air conditioning with ceiling fans to increase comfort.
• Keep window coverings closed on south, east and west windows and definitely if you’re leaving the room. Heat has already entered the house through windows so consider blocking the sun’s radiation from windows and glass doors from the outside (read more outdoor tips below).
• Avoid using appliances that warm up your house — such as your oven — during the summer and instead use the microwave, stovetop and outdoor grill.
• Use your dishwasher but skip the dry cycle. Also, try to run a full load. Washing dishes by hand doesn't necessarily mean you will use less water.
• Run your clothes washer, dryer and dishwasher after dark to keep heat and humidity out of the air. 
• Summer is also a good time to hang laundry outdoors. If your neighborhood has clothesline restrictions, use drying racks that can’t be seen over a fence or set them up in the garage or a back room. 
• Turn on your bathroom fan while showering or taking a bath to remove heat and humidity.

• Clear debris, tall weeds and other items away from the A/C unit outside so ventilation is not restricted to increase efficiency.
• Extended roof overhangs or permanent awnings can reduce the solar heat that enters your house (especially on south and west facing windows) and will also reduce glare and eye strain and keep rain off windows (keeping them cleaner and extending their life). Today’s awnings can be adjustable and retractable, water-repellent and mildew-resistant, and they can cover one window or an entire side of your house.
• Solar screens are a great way to reduce solar heat in your home. Half-screens on the lower half of the window also help. If nothing else, the insect screens that came with your windows help reduce the sun’s heat.
• Solar film is not as effective because the glass still radiates the sun’s heat into the home, but they can reflect the sun’s rays while allowing light to come through. They also reduce exposure to ultraviolet radiation and reduce glare. With a careful, patient hand, you can install them in a weekend (or, if you lack confidence, hire a professional to do the job.)
• Buy trellises and vines to shade your windows. Consider planting one or more deciduous trees on the west and south sides of your house to block harsh rays in summer while allowing sunshine in after leaves have fallen in winter. Plant away from power lines and use native, drought tolerant trees. Trim your hedges, shrubs or trees to keep them far enough from your house that they don’t pose a hazard/problem, but close enough to shade windows from summer’s heat. 
• And don’t forget one of the most enjoyable ways to save energy in the summer: grilling meals outdoors instead of heating up the kitchen. Eat well, listen to the birds and enjoy a Texas sunset. 

Have a pool?

• Run water through pool filters no more than 12 hours a day in the summer.
• Keep the filter clean because clogged filters increase the energy draw of the pool pump.
• Pool cleaning devices only need to run as needed, rather than on a schedule. Try just three hours once a week.
• Replace old, inefficient pool pumps, and make sure all pool equipment is working.

• Get that heating and air-conditioning tech back to the house for a winter heating inspection and tune-up to save on your winter bills. (Before it gets cold)
• Change filters regularly
• Eliminate drafts and seal air leaks around windows, doors and other openings with caulk and weather-stripping. Don’t forget places where cables and wires come through walls. 
• Keep doors and windows closed.
• Insulated curtains can go a long way toward keeping the warm air in and the cold air out.
• Take down holiday lights indoors and outdoors. As tempting as it might be to extend the holiday season, there is no need to extend the higher electric bill that might come with all the electric-powered decor.
• Turn down the thermostat
  • You can save about 3 percent on your energy bill for every degree you drop the temperature. Putting on a sweater and slippers or wool socks might allow you to lower your thermostat temperature.
  • Avoid drastically adjusting the thermostat setting. Many people think raising the thermostat to 85 degrees will heat the room more quickly. That’s not true. 
  • In winter, set your thermostat between 65 and 68 degrees when at home and 60 to 65 degrees when away.
• Let the sun in
  • In the winter, open the shades on south-facing windows to let sunlight warm your house and take advantage of solar heat gain.
  • At night, closing blinds and curtains can help keep the cold air out
• Switch ceiling fan direction
  • Change the direction of your ceiling fans so that they turn clockwise. This pulls cool air toward the ceiling, which in turn pushes the warm air that collects near the ceiling back toward the floor.
• Use space heaters selectively — heat only the room you are in.
• Limit the use of exhaust fans. They suck out all the indoor air your heater has worked so hard to heat.
• Avoid using large appliances like ovens, washing machines, dryers, etc. particularly during the early morning and evening, to conserve energy.
  • Use the slow cooker. Tasty slow-cooker meals will help you save energy.
  • Every time the oven door is opened, the temperature inside is reduced by as much as 25 degrees, delaying the progress of your dish and, more importantly, costing you additional money.
  • If you need to check the progress of a delicious pie, use the oven light.
• Improve fireplace efficiency 
  • Close the chimney flue when the fireplace isn’t used because it lets hot, humid air seep down into the home.
  • Upgrade your fireplace to an energy-efficient model or close it off except for special occasions
  • Traditional wood-burning fireplaces can emit little or no warmth into a room and send your home’s warm air up the chimney. Wood-burning fires also can create particles that pollute the air indoors and outdoors, and could poison the house with carbon monoxide. That doesn’t mean you have to close your fireplace up forever, though. Instead, try improving the efficiency and safety of your beloved hearth: 
    • Close the fireplace damper when you’re not burning wood. This will cut down on the loss of warm room air through the chimney. 
    • Cover the front of the fireplace with tempered glass doors, which seal the fireplace opening and prevent air in the room from escaping through it. Fireplace inserts are another option for converting fireplaces into efficient heating systems. 
    • Use artificial logs, which reduce pollutant emissions by almost 80 percent. 
    • Replace wood with electric “logs” that you can insert into the fireplace, or plug in an electric fireplace instead of burning wood.

• Wash your windows – inside and out – and open the drapes. The sun can warm and brighten your rooms better through clean windows. 
• Hire a professional to sweep your chimney. 
• Replace those old holiday lights with LED fixtures, which last for years and use far less energy than traditional incandescent lights.
• Take down holiday lights indoors and outdoors. As tempting as it might be to extend the holiday season, there is no need to extend the higher electric bill that might come with all the electric-powered decor.
• Try to keep leaves away from the outdoor unit of your HVAC and avoid running it in emergency heat mode or auxiliary heat mode.