Home Hacks: Small Changes Around the House That Help You Use Less Energy

Updated: September 2026

Small changes around the house can make a big difference. Cleaning your air filters, turning your water heater down to 120°F, cooking with a slow cooker instead of the oven and swapping in a few LED bulbs are easy habits that help you use less energy — no tools or big projects required.

You don't have to overhaul your house to bring your electricity usage down. Some of the best savings come from the everyday things you already do — how you cook, how you do laundry and how you keep your home running. A little attention in the right spots adds up over a year.

Do dirty air filters really raise your energy costs?

Yes. Cleaning or replacing your air filters can save you up to 15% on annual energy costs, especially if you have pets.³ It's one of the simplest home hacks there is.

A clogged filter makes your system work harder to push air through, which uses more energy. The U.S. Department of Energy says routinely replacing or cleaning a dirty filter can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5% to 15%. Check your filter about once a month during heavy cooling season, and replace it when it looks dirty. If you have pets that shed, plan to change it more often.

How much can lowering your water heater save?

Quite a bit, because it runs all year. Water heating accounts for 18% of the energy consumed in your home — the second-largest energy use in most homes, according to the Department of Energy.³

Try lowering your water heater to 120°F. The Department of Energy recommends 120°F as a setting that cuts water-heating costs, reduces mineral buildup and lowers the risk of scalding. And when you head out of town, turn it down or off — there's no reason to keep water hot for a house nobody's in. Many water heaters have a "vacation" setting that does this for you.

What's the most energy-friendly way to cook on a hot day?

Skip the oven. Using a slow cooker or a countertop multicooker like an Instant Pot is a great alternative to the oven or stove, and it keeps your kitchen cool on hot days.

The reason is simple: a countertop cooker heats a small, enclosed space instead of a large oven cavity, so it uses less energy and throws off less heat into the room. That's a double win in a Texas summer — you use less energy cooking, and your A/C doesn't have to fight the extra heat. Save the oven for the days you actually need to bake or roast.

A few more quick home hacks

Small swaps around the house add up:

• Switch to LED bulbs. LEDs use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last far longer, according to the Department of Energy. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label.
• Unplug what you're not using. Standby or "phantom" power from devices left plugged in can account for 5% to 10% of a home's electricity usage. A power strip makes it easy to switch several off at once.
• Wash clothes in cold water. About 90% of the energy a washing machine uses goes toward heating the water, so a cold wash saves energy on most loads — and it's gentle on your clothes.

Keep an eye on your usage

The best part about home hacks is watching them pay off. As a TXU Energy customer, you can monitor your electricity usage in the TXU Energy app and in MyAccount, get a weekly snapshot email and set up alerts so there are no surprises. When you can see what's using the most, it's easy to spot which changes are working for your home. 

Key takeaways

• Clean or replace your air filters to save up to 15% on annual energy costs — more often if you have pets.
• Water heating is about 18% of your home's energy use; set your water heater to 120°F and turn it down when you're away.
• Cook with a slow cooker or countertop multicooker on hot days to use less energy and keep the kitchen cool.
• Switch to LED bulbs, which use up to 90% less energy than incandescents.
• Unplug idle electronics and wash clothes in cold water for easy, everyday savings.