RunCost Lab

SAVINGS TIPS

Practical actions, connected to your costs.

Start with what you use, why the action helps, and when it matters. Then calculate the appliance cost with your saved state rate or a bill rate.

Heating & Cooling

3 tips

Heating & Cooling

Match thermostat schedules to when you are home

What to do
Use a consistent schedule that eases heating or cooling when the home is empty or everyone is asleep.
Why it helps
It reduces the time the system maintains a comfort setting nobody needs.
When it matters
Most useful with regular away and sleep periods; follow heat-pump guidance for large setbacks.
Calculate space heater cost →Source: DOE Energy Saver
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Heating & Cooling

Check the air-conditioner filter

What to do
Inspect the filter on the schedule in the equipment manual and clean or replace it when needed.
Why it helps
Restricted airflow makes cooling equipment work poorly and can increase runtime.
When it matters
Check more often during heavy cooling, dusty conditions, or when pets shed.
Calculate window air conditioner cost →Source: DOE Energy Saver
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Heating & Cooling

Seal a room air conditioner's installation

What to do
Close gaps around a window or portable unit and keep a portable unit's exhaust path short and unobstructed.
Why it helps
Reducing hot-air leakage helps the unit spend more of its runtime cooling the room.
When it matters
Before peak cooling season and whenever the unit is moved or reinstalled.
Calculate portable air conditioner cost →Source: DOE Energy Saver
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Laundry & Kitchen

3 tips

Laundry & Kitchen

Run full laundry loads without overfilling

What to do
Combine small loads when practical, choose the appropriate load setting, and leave enough room for cleaning action.
Why it helps
Fewer cycles reduce washer motor and water-heating use.
When it matters
Best for routine laundry that can wait; follow garment and machine instructions.
Calculate clothes dryer cost →Source: ENERGY STAR
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Laundry & Kitchen

Use the dryer's moisture-sensor cycle

What to do
Choose sensor drying instead of a fixed long timer, and keep the sensor and lint screen clean per the manual.
Why it helps
The cycle can stop when clothes are dry instead of continuing to heat them.
When it matters
Useful for ordinary mixed loads; bulky or unusual items may need manufacturer-specific settings.
Calculate clothes dryer cost →Source: ENERGY STAR
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Laundry & Kitchen

Choose air dry when the dishwasher allows it

What to do
Turn off heated drying or select an air-dry option when dishes can finish drying with the door or vent method approved by the manufacturer.
Why it helps
It avoids using the electric drying heater for that part of the cycle.
When it matters
When unloading time is flexible and the appliance manual permits it.
Calculate dishwasher cost →Source: ENERGY STAR
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Refrigeration

3 tips

Refrigeration

Use the recommended refrigerator temperature

What to do
Set the refrigerator and freezer to the ranges recommended by the appliance maker and verify with an appliance thermometer if needed.
Why it helps
A colder-than-needed setting can make the compressor run longer.
When it matters
After a setting change, seasonal room-temperature change, or unexplained cycling.
Calculate refrigerator cost →Source: ENERGY STAR
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Refrigeration

Check refrigerator and freezer door seals

What to do
Clean gaskets and inspect for damage or spots where the door does not close evenly.
Why it helps
A sound seal keeps warm, humid air from continually entering the cabinet.
When it matters
When frost, condensation, or unusually long compressor cycles appear.
Calculate refrigerator cost →Source: DOE Energy Saver
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Refrigeration

Give a freezer the ventilation its manual requires

What to do
Keep specified clearance around vents and coils and remove dust using the manufacturer's safe procedure.
Why it helps
The appliance can reject heat more effectively when airflow is not blocked.
When it matters
Especially for garage placement, after moving the freezer, or during hot weather.
Calculate chest freezer cost →Source: DOE Energy Saver
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Home Office & Electronics

3 tips

Home Office & Electronics

Enable automatic computer sleep

What to do
Set the computer and display to sleep after a practical period of inactivity.
Why it helps
Sleep reduces power during breaks without requiring a full shutdown.
When it matters
Most useful on systems left signed in for long workdays or overnight.
Calculate gaming pc cost →Source: ENERGY STAR
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Home Office & Electronics

Measure the PC at the wall

What to do
Use a safe plug-in meter for the computer and monitor during typical work, gaming, and idle periods.
Why it helps
Power-supply ratings are maximum capacity, not actual consumption; measurement makes the estimate useful.
When it matters
Before changing hardware or deciding which settings are worth adjusting.
Calculate gaming pc cost →Source: ENERGY STAR
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Home Office & Electronics

Group rarely used accessories on a switchable strip

What to do
Connect compatible peripheral devices to an accessible switched strip and turn it off during long idle periods.
Why it helps
It disconnects standby loads that remain powered after their main device is off.
When it matters
For desk or entertainment accessories that do not need continuous power; never interrupt devices that require updates, safety monitoring, or scheduled recording.
Calculate gaming pc cost →Source: DOE Energy Saver
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Seasonal & Everyday

3 tips

Seasonal & Everyday

Seal obvious air leaks before peak weather

What to do
Weatherstrip operable doors and windows and seal appropriate fixed gaps using DOE guidance or qualified help.
Why it helps
Less uncontrolled outdoor air reduces the heating or cooling load.
When it matters
Before heating or cooling season; address moisture, combustion, and indoor-air-quality safety first.
Calculate space heater cost →Source: DOE Energy Saver
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Seasonal & Everyday

Use window coverings with the season and sun

What to do
Close suitable coverings against unwanted summer sun and use them to reduce nighttime heat loss in cold weather.
Why it helps
Managing solar gain and window heat transfer can reduce the load on space conditioning.
When it matters
At sun-exposed windows and during temperature extremes; avoid trapping unsafe heat around equipment.
Calculate window air conditioner cost →Source: DOE Energy Saver
Source reviewed August 22, 2026

Seasonal & Everyday

Turn off lighting in empty spaces

What to do
Switch off lights when a room is unoccupied and use task lighting when full-room lighting is unnecessary.
Why it helps
Lighting uses electricity directly and can add heat that cooling equipment must remove.
When it matters
Everyday, especially in frequently vacated rooms and during cooling season.
Calculate an electricity cost →Source: DOE Energy Saver
Source reviewed August 22, 2026