This time of year, cooling systems are put to the ultimate test, straining to accommodate fluctuating outdoor temperatures. What’s more, home energy costs are rising due to increased demand and aging infrastructure, which only adds stress to homeowners seeking energy efficiency. Schneider Electric recently surveyed 13,000 homeowners across 11 countries and found that 48% surveyed now rank energy efficiency as their top priority.
For those wanting to reduce their energy bills, having a more efficient home is crucial. While the first things that come to mind increasing energy efficiency may be regular air conditioner maintenance, changing dirty air filters, or reducing heat loss by sealing air leaks in attic vents, there are many more ways to reduce utility bills.
Here are the top 5 energy-efficient solutions to consider as the weather gets warmer:
1. Monitor Energy Use
"This may seem like a new concept to many, but having full visibility into energy usage is the first, and most significant, step to understanding your home's energy usage," shared Scott Harden, SVP & CTO in Schneider Electric’s Home Solutions Division. Energy monitoring devices have become increasingly popular over the past 5 years. In Schneider’s 2025 survey, energy monitors were the 4th most popular devices equipped in respondents’ homes. "We can only act on the information we have. Energy monitoring is one of the many benefits to home energy management systems (HEMS), but most of all, these smart energy-saving systems offer a whole house view, giving users ultimate control over how and when their home uses energy.”
Energy monitoring devices can tell you your biggest energy consuming devices and where you should act as a priority to reduce your energy use. Heating and cooling together account for over 50% of a home’s energy use, yet Schneider Electric’s recent research found that only 16% of homeowners are using smart thermostats to monitor their home. In addition to this, the survey revealed most people think lighting is a major power user, while it only accounts for up to 5% of the energy bill, sometimes less. “With home energy monitoring you would know that you'd have more impact on your consumption if you decreased your home’s temperature by 1 degree, instead of chasing your children to switch of the lights."
Beyond monitoring everyday energy use, HEMS can also help detect abnormalities in your energy use. For example, if your fridge is malfunctioning and consuming more energy than it should, a HEMS platform would identify this and notify you.
2. Electrify Devices and Energy Loads Where Possible
"The world is moving towards electrification. It is the only energy that we can decarbonize by replacing carbon-intensive sources with renewables," notes Schneider Electric’s Harden. "It's the most sustainable energy source available to us."
It helps that modern electrical devices are more energy efficient than ever. Making sure that your home keeps up with the changes in technology is really important. You don't have to look to solar energy to begin making a difference; there are a variety of energy saving options that make a difference in your monthly energy bills. "Replace old over-consuming appliances with A or B-graded energy efficiency appliances. This is true for all appliances, from big appliances like washing machines and kitchen ventilation fans to programmable thermostats that help you optimize your indoor temperature settings." Plus, the cost of LED bulbs has dropped so much over the last decade, there's almost no excuse for hanging onto those incandescent lights.
3. Digitize and Connect Devices
"If a homeowner works towards electrifying all devices in their home, connectivity is the next logical step in their sustainability and efficiency journey," Harden continued.
"By connecting devices, you can coordinate your energy use to optimize for energy efficiency.” For example, homeowners can program a smart thermostat system that heats or cools your home only when energy costs are lowest or only for short blasts when necessary. Lighting and additional devices can be connected to a HEMS system, for example. This enables lights to be switched off when everyone is out of the house. Vampire devices that suck energy unnecessarily can be monitored and controlled simply by plugging them into connected sockets, which allow you to turn them on or off easily.
These tools make it much easier to perform an energy audit beyond just the summer months. Using monitoring systems that intelligently auto-adjust to external temperature fluctuations will significantly support long-term efficiency and sustainability.
By integrating real-time data, weather forecasts, and household patterns, HEMS can optimize energy usage that can help save:
- Up to 30% on annual energy bills through optimized room-by-room temperature control and smart energy modes
- An additional 5% using seasonal automation (like closing blinds during summer heat or opening them in winter)
Nearly one-fifth (19%) of all respondents in Schneider Electric’s survey identified that energy efficiency is a primary benefit they see of smart home technology, with a further 42% agreeing that smart home devices are an easy way of reducing energy use. This is a positive sign that a growing cohort of consumers is looking at more innovative ways of improving their home’s sustainability, upon which smart technology integration can make a demonstrable difference.
4. Use AI to Smart Control Major Loads
"For major energy loads like water heaters and electric vehicle (EV) charging, as well as power production from solar panels, AI is being deployed to simplify our ever-complex home energy ecosystems," commented Harden, who leads Schneider Electric’s cutting edge home energy management software portfolio. The new energy landscape is bringing greater complexity to homes. Coupled with flexible and variable tariffs, that mean the cost of energy can increase 10x hour-by-hour, home energy use is complex to such an extent that the average homeowner cannot monitor energy use and bills alone.
By processing tariff data, AI-powered HEMS can activate big energy loads at the cheapest time of the day.
5. Optimize Use of Prosumption
This is a word you may not have heard before but get used to it. "The modern homeowner is taking steps to reduce their impact on the environment and become more energy independent through sustainable energy solutions. Many are becoming Prosumers," said Harden. "Prosumers are folks who are not only consuming energy but producing renewable energy at the same time. Renewable energy solutions like solar coupled with residential batteries can store energy for later usage, giving homeowners a nearly immediate return on investment. By producing this storable energy, homeowners can rest assured they are prepared for unexpected outages while sustainably contributing to the grid."
Many see solar panels as a solution to increased bills and unreliable grid connectivity. Beyond the installation costs, you can produce energy basically free. However, PV panels are most productive during the middle of the day when energy use is lowest. This is when AI can be a game changer, too. AI-powered HEMS can activate loads when solar panels are at max production.
Simple Additions That Can Lower Utility Bills
You don’t always need to upgrade your entire HVAC system or install solar panels to reduce electricity costs. Small changes can add up, especially when combined.
Here are a few overlooked ways to cut down on power usage at home:
- Switch to smart power strips: Many electronics stay in standby mode, drawing energy all day. Smart power strips help cut off that waste automatically, saving you from energy vampires.
- Insulate and seal: Add foam insulation in attic corners, seal air leakage around windows, and use weather stripping on doors to prevent energy leaks. Draft guards also help trap cooled air inside.
- Use cold water when possible: Washing clothes in cold water lowers your electricity use, especially when paired with an ENERGY STAR washer and dryer.
- Unplug your clothes dryer: If your climate allows, hang-drying even part of your laundry can drop energy use fast. When you do use a dryer, clean the lint trap and condenser coils to keep it running efficiently.
- Install motion detectors: Motion detectors for lighting in hallways or bathrooms keep lights from staying on when no one’s around.
- Layer up your windows: Try energy-efficient windows, thermal window treatments, or blackout curtains to keep rooms cooler without running more air conditioning.
- Try a home energy assessment: Whether from utility companies or home energy experts, it helps identify the exact places where you’re losing money.
- Rethink water heating: Insulating hot water pipes and switching to a tankless water heater can lead to real savings, especially for larger families.
FAQ
Is it really worth upgrading to ENERGY STAR appliances if my current ones still work?
Oh, yes. Older appliances, especially refrigerators and water heaters, often use much more energy. ENERGY STAR appliances meet high standards for energy-efficient practices, which means lower utility costs over time, even when usage stays the same.
How does lighting affect my energy bill?
It’s less than many people think. Lighting usually makes up about 5% of your total bill. But swapping out old bulbs for LED lighting or CFL bulbs and using more natural light during the day can still save money, especially when combined with other energy-saving tips.
What’s the difference between a home energy audit and a home energy assessment?
They're often used interchangeably. Both involve inspecting your home for energy leaks, inefficient appliances, or insulation gaps. Many utility companies offer audits for free or at a reduced cost, and some may lead to tax credit opportunities for upgrades that follow.
