Contrary to popular opinion, you sometimes get more than you pay for. The following energy-saving tips won’t cost you a penny—but they can save you bucks on your energy bills.

• Turn off the lights when you leave the room (Who knew? Dad was right).
• Keep your home at 78 degrees in the summer, or at the warmest temperature that is comfortable for you.
• When leaving home for more than 4 hours, raise the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees in summer and lower it 5 to 10 degrees in winter. Do the same at night before going to bed.
• Close south-, east-, and west-facing curtains during the day to keep out solar heat during the summer.
• Clean the coils at the back of your refrigerator twice a year.
• Only heat and cool rooms you use; close vents and doors to rooms that are not being used.
• Keep windows closed and shades down when air conditioning is on.
• Check and clean air conditioning filters monthly and replace as needed.
• Unplug electric chargers, televisions and audio/video equipment when not in use (or plug them into a power strip you can turn off and on). These devices use electricity even when they are not in use.
• Turn off your computer or put it in ”sleep” mode when it is not being used.
• Run energy-intensive appliances such as the dishwasher and clothes washer at night. The heat produced by these appliances will not need to be offset by your air conditioner during the day.
• Wait until you have a full load to run the dishwasher and clothes washer and use cold water when possible.
• Keep lamps and televisions away from the thermostat. The heat they generate will cause your air conditioner to work harder.
• Old refrigerators can use three times the electricity of modern ones. If you’re running an old refrigerator in your basement that isn’t being used, unplug it and enroll in ComEd's Appliance Recycling Program.