Frequently Asked Questions

So, I keep messing with stuff around my house—switching out bulbs, fighting with blackout curtains, adjusting the thermostat like I’m hacking the matrix—and honestly, I have no clue what’s actually making a difference. Is it the windows? The 17 random chairs? No idea. Storage bins under the windows? Turns out those are like little heat prisons. Didn’t see that coming.

What are some energy-efficient lighting options I can use to save on my electric bill?

LED bulbs, obviously. Everyone says that, but does anyone really swap out every single bulb? I still have one of those old oven bulbs burning away like it’s a mini sun. Supposedly, ENERGY STAR ones use 75% less energy (that’s what the Department of Energy claims, anyway). Dimmable ones are a thing. Smart strips, too, which I always forget to use. Color temperature? I swear, after 8pm, my brain feels like it’s being microwaved by the wrong bulb. Why do those “vintage” Edison bulbs exist? They’re heaters in disguise. It’s a scam.

Can smart thermostats really make a difference in managing my home’s energy usage?

My friend Erin never shuts up about her Nest. She showed me her bill—$10 less a month, apparently. I tried to set up schedules and yeah, it worked until it glitched out and my living room hit tropical levels. Sometimes these things say they know when you’re home or not, but I’m pretty sure they’re just guessing. Or maybe they’re spying. Who knows.

What type of window treatments can help keep my home insulated and reduce heating costs?

Cellular shades. My mother-in-law bullied me into buying them, and fine, they actually work. The honeycomb thing traps air, which sounds fake but, weirdly, it’s not. Heavy curtains at night? Kept my last place warmer, except when my cat got stuck behind them and almost cooked herself. I skimmed an ENERGY STAR pamphlet once—heavy, lined curtains are apparently some kind of secret weapon. Try telling that to someone in Arizona, though. Good luck.

Are there any budget-friendly smart home gadgets that help in tracking and reducing energy consumption?

Those cheap plug-in meters (Kill A Watt or whatever) are way more useful than I expected. My microwave guzzles more power on standby than my TV does running. People love to brag about their “energy hubs” but honestly, I just want to know if my humidifier is running up the bill. I bought a bunch of smart plugs with usage tracking and immediately lost my login. Now they’re just glorified on/off switches. So, yeah.

How can rearranging furniture improve heating and cooling efficiency in my home?

Apparently, putting couches over vents is a terrible idea. I thought it was fine until I moved mine and suddenly the room actually cooled down. Heat’s like a cat—hates obstacles. Bookshelves in front of radiators? Same problem. The guy who did my energy audit just laughed at me. There’s still a chair in front of the baseboard heater. That corner is freezing, but I refuse to move it.

What kind of low-cost decor changes can I implement to keep my house cool without overusing the AC?

Ceiling fans—okay, apparently they’re supposed to spin counterclockwise in summer. Didn’t know, didn’t care, until this HVAC guy during some audit just points at it and goes, “Wrong way.” Who makes these rules? Lighter rugs, sure, they bounce light around, but do they actually help, or is it just a Pinterest thing? I threw a couple down and, honestly, the floor looks cleaner. Plants—yeah, everyone says they cool things off, but I swear if I add one more pothos, I’ll need a machete to get to the couch.

I slapped some heat-reflective film on the windows. Trapped a bug in there for like a week—oops. Also, people keep those glass jars on the sills for “aesthetic,” but has anyone noticed they just turn the room into a laser death zone at 2 p.m.? Sunbeam right in the eye. Maybe the AC’s not so bad after all.