Back to School, Back to Savings: 10 Energy-Saving Tips for Fall

With the start of a new school year comes a chance to refresh routines, not only with homework and lunch-packing, but also with how your household uses energy. From early mornings to after-school evenings, back-to-school season can increase your home's energy consumption.

Fortunately, making a few small changes can help lower your energy use and your monthly utility bills. Additionally, these habits can help teach children the importance of sustainability.

Here are 10 easy and practical ways to save energy during Back to School Month:

1. Power Down Mornings

Before everyone heads out for the day, do a quick runthrough through the house:

• Turn off lights, ceiling fans, appliances and electronics that don’t need to be on.
  
  
• Encourage children to get in the habit of shutting off bedroom lights and unplugging devices before leaving.
  
  

Note: Keeping appliances running when no one is home makes no sense, so turning them off while you are away lowers your energy consumption. Over time, these small habits can result in real savings.

2. Use a Smart Thermostat

School hours mean your house may be empty most of the day. Some smart thermostats can automatically adjust the temperature to use less energy while everyone’s away, and bring comfort back before you get home.

Set your thermostat to:

• 78°F in summer when no one’s home
  
  
• 68°F in winter
  
  

Even an adjustment of up to 10°F for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling.

3. Embrace Natural Light

Take advantage of daylight whenever possible:

• During breakfast or after-school homework, open blinds or curtains to light up the room with natural sunlight.
  
  
• Use task lighting like LED desk lamps instead of turning on overhead lights for one person.
  
  

Note: Natural lighting is free and helps reduce your use of energy-intensive lighting during peak times.

4. Unplug Idle Electronics

Chargers, video game consoles, and computers still use energy when plugged in, even if they’re off. This is called phantom energy or standby power.

Save energy by:

• Unplugging devices when not in use
  
  
• Using smart power strips that automatically cut power when devices go idle
  
  
• Charging phones and tablets during the day and unplugging them at night
  
  

Note: Although it is a simple change, it can save an average household $100-200 a year.

5. Upgrade to LED Lighting

If your home still uses incandescent or CFL bulbs, now is a great time to switch to LED lights:

• They use up to 90% less energy
  
  
• Last 25 times longer than traditional bulbs
  
  
• They are also available in warm or daylight tones, great for bedrooms, study areas, and reading corners.
  
  

Tip: Look for ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs for maximum efficiency.

6. Make Laundry More Efficient

The school year means more laundry. However, it doesn’t mean higher energy bills:

• Wash full loads to avoid running extra cycles
  
  
• Use cold water. This saves energy and helps clothes last longer
  
  
• Hang-dry clothes when possible, especially lightweight items
  
  
• Clean the lint trap after every load to help your dryer work more efficiently
  
  

Tip: An ENERGY STAR® washer uses 25% less energy and 33% less water than regular models.

7. Use Timers for Electronics

With tighter schedules, it’s easy to forget to turn things off. Using timers or smart plugs can help:

• Set timers on TVs, lamps, or gaming systems to shut off after bedtime
  
  
• Use smart plugs to control devices remotely or set up schedules from your phone
  
  

Note: These tools are especially helpful for saving energy in children’s bedrooms and study areas.

8. Keep the Fridge Efficient

Packing lunches, snacks, and dinners means your refrigerator is working harder. Keep it running efficiently by:

• Not overloading the fridge. Your fridge needs space for air to circulate
  
  
• Organizing contents so when doors are open, they don’t stay open long
  
  
• Checking door seals to make sure cold air isn’t escaping
  
  
• Setting the temperature to the recommended 37°F for fridge and 0°F for freezer
  
  

Tip: Remind children to not open the fridge too long and to close the fridge door right away after grabbing a snack!

9. Involve the Children

Children can be powerful energy-savers if you make it fun with games:

• Create a “Turn Off Patrol” to remind the family to switch off lights
  
  
• Start a monthly challenge to lower your energy bill
  
  
• Let them help track your energy use and set goals
  
  

Note: Teaching them early builds good habits for life, and they’ll likely remind you to save energy, too.

10. Take Adventage of Energy-Efficient Upgrades

Many utilities offer no cost or low-cost energy efficiency programs to help make your home more energy efficient. These often include:

• No cost or discounted smart thermostats, LED bulbs, and weather stripping
  

• Upgrade insulation, water heaters, and HVAC efficiency
  

• Personalized recommendations for your home

• Even there are no utility rebates in your area, we can always give you a quote or any appliance or home upgrade that you're looking for.

Call Synergy Companies at 1-800-818-4298 or visit our website to check out our No Cost Programs.

Final Thoughts: Make Energy Efficiency a Year-Round Habit

The back-to-school season is the perfect time to build energy-saving habits into your family’s new routine. Small changes like adjusting your thermostat, using natural and LED lighting, or unplugging unused devices, can add up to big savings in the end.

Plus, you’re not just lowering your bills, you’re helping your children become more mindful of their energy use, their impact on the environment, and the importance of sustainability.