Quiz: How Energy Efficient Are You?

Test your home energy-efficiency smarts with this quick five-question assessment.

1. Picture your home’s five most used lights. Are all of those bulbs energy-efficient LEDs?

a)  Yes.
b)  No.

Energy-efficient answer: A
Ideally, all of your light bulbs will be Energy Star-certified, using up to 90 percent less energy than old school incandescent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy*. Each bulb also saves $80 or more during its lifetime, and with an average of 70 bulbs in a home: you do the math. Five frequently used bulbs—and maybe even Energy Star-certified light fixtures—are simply a smart starting point.

2. If heating and cooling together make up the highest energy usage in your home, what do you think is the second-largest energy expense?

a)   Appliances and electronics
b)  Water heating
c)   Lighting

Energy-efficient answer: B
Top ways to cut water heating bills include turning down the thermostat on your water heater (120 degrees is ideal), insulating your water heater and pipes, and investing in a new, more efficient model.

3. How often do you change the air filters in your heating and cooling system?

a)   About twice a year
b)   Whenever I think about it
c)   At least four times a year

Energy-efficient answer: C
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends you change it at least every three months; or more often during heavy-use periods*. A dirty filter can slow down airflow, which forces your HVAC system to work harder—read: inefficiently—to keep your home hot or cold.

Need a better way to stay on top of filter changes? Check out the new Filtrete™ Smart Air Filter

4. How do you interact with your thermostat?

a)   I set it, then adjust when necessary.
b)   I program it differently for each season.
c)   I let it adapt on its own and monitor it from my smartphone.

Energy-efficient answers: B and C
Well-programmed thermostats certainly reduce energy costs and boost efficiency. Today’s Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostats enhance those benefits by learning and adjusting to your preferences and providing usage data. Look for an Energy Star-certified model, which may come with utilities incentives.

5. Have you completed a home energy audit (aka energy assessment), whether professional or self-administered?

a)   Yes
b)   No

Energy-efficient answer: A
On your mission to save energy, find out where it’s most inefficient first. If you haven’t done a formal audit yet, see if your utility provider offers them for free or at a reduced cost, or conduct your own using Energy Star’s Home Energy Yardstick Program. Use the results to focus on areas of improvement.

How did you do?
4 or more correct: Efficiency Expert
Great job, super saver! You make it a priority to stay informed about the things you can do to keep you home running efficiently. Keep it up.

3 or fewer correct: So-So Saver
Why not see this score as an opportunity to improve? The energy-efficiency tips above can help you lead a measurably more energy- and cost-efficient life.

Sources:

* U.S. Department of Energy (PDF, 2.33 MB)