Easy improvements for energy efficiency

Published on April 28, 2025

Sure, you know being energy efficient is good for the environment. But poor energy efficiency can also result in expensive repairs, early appliance replacement, higher energy bills and even fire hazards. Poor insulation and overuse of appliances and mechanical systems causes increased wear and tear on many features of your home — including electrical and mechanical systems, appliances and framing. May is Building Safety Month, and it’s a great time to improve your home, your budget and the environment with simple upgrades and maintenance.

Are you planning a home improvement project? Building Services staff will be at the Lenexa Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon May 3 and May 17 to talk through your project and help ensure it meets City Codes. They're also hosting a special Family Night at the Lenexa Public Market on May 7. Kids can build and decorate a birdhouse with staff, who will be available for questions.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning 

Annual servicing by a professional involves cleaning parts that you can’t see or reach and ensuring your unit is performing well. 

Replace your filters at least every three months; many professionals recommend monthly. This helps ensure that air moves easily into the unit and will help prolong the life of the furnace. Dirty filters make your system work harder and run longer than necessary.

Seal ductwork. Hot air can escape through joints in ductwork. Apply heating-vent tape to joints to help reduce heat loss. This also extends the life of your ductwork by keeping dirt and moisture out. 

Using a ceiling fan in warm weather will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees with no reduction in comfort. 

Install a programmable thermostat that will automatically adjust the temperature according to your schedule. 

Watch your appliance placement. Avoid placing appliances that give off heat, such as lamps or TVs, near a thermostat.

Keep thermostats at a comfortable setting rather than changing them up and down all the time. Try to set your thermostat to 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. Every degree of extra heating and cooling can increase energy usage 6–8%. Setting your thermostat to a lower temperature than normal will not cool your home faster. 

Don’t leave your bathroom or kitchen ventilation fans running longer than necessary. They replace inside air with outside air. They’re also a common cause of residential fires.

Refrigerators and freezers

Set your refrigerator to the manufacturer’s recommendations to avoid excessive cooling and wasting energy. 

Defrost your refrigerator and freezer before ice buildup becomes ¼-inch thick to ensure your appliances are running efficiently. 

Refrigerators and freezers actually operate most efficiently when they’re full, so keep them as full as possible — use water bottles, if nothing else. Be careful about overfilling them, as this will reduce airflow and cause the appliance to work harder.

Cooking 

Turn your oven off a few minutes before the cooking time runs out. Your food will continue to cook without using the extra electricity. 

Don’t peek in the oven while baking! Every time you open the door, the temperature can drop 25 degrees, making your oven use more energy to bring the temperature back up. 

Your microwave uses significantly less energy than your stove or oven, especially when heating up small amounts of food.

Electrical

Install insulating foam behind your outlet cover plates to keep cold air from seeping through the plate. You can use spray foam or purchase precut foam insulation plates. 

Switch off gadgets and lights when not in use, and don’t overuse appliances. Lighting accounts for about 12% of a typical residential utility bill. Use natural light when possible. Leaving your phone plugged in overnight isn’t necessary — it only takes a couple of hours to charge. Turn on your computer, monitor and printer only when you need them.

Doors and windows

Test your doors and windows for drafts. Use caulking around frames, install or replace weatherstripping and add a door sweep. Not only will this keep your temperature-controlled air in; it can also help keep moisture from getting through and deteriorating the wood and walls around these openings. Sealing gaps, cracks and leaks and adding insulation can save up to 10% on home heating and cooling costs. 

If your home has single-pane windows, consider replacing them with more energy-efficient windows or adding solar shades with tinting film. 

During warmer months, close the blinds, shades and drapes on the sunny side of your home to keep the temperature cooler and reduce the work for your air conditioner. Open shades during cooler months to let the sun warm your home.

General appliances

If you’re purchasing new appliances, look for energy-efficient models. 

Wash your clothes in cold water, if possible (heavily soiled clothes and towels are an exception). This can also make your clothes last longer and prevents shrinking and wrinkles. About 90% of the energy used when washing clothes is from heating the water. 

Wrap your electric hot water heater using an insulating blanket to reduce heat loss. 

Set your water heater to a lower temperature. 

Using dishwashers and clothes washers/dryers at night will keep the house cooler and reduce strain on the power grid during peak usage hours of 4–6 p.m. 

Turn off heated dry on your dishwasher, and air dry instead.