Buyers • February 20, 2025

Finding Your New Home in Four Steps

by Don Koonce

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or a seasoned homeowner looking for a new space, navigating the real estate market can feel confusing and overwhelming without the proper guidance and tools. But with some preparation and a solid game plan, you’ll be unlocking the door to your dream property faster than you can say, “Welcome home!”

These five steps will help you find a home that fits your budget and is suitable for your future needs. By taking the time to plan and work through each step, you can minimize potential headaches and enjoy a smoother, more rewarding home-buying experience.

Step 1: Talk to An Agent

Even if buying a home is just an idea in the back of your mind, your first move should be connecting with a licensed real estate agent. They’ll give you up-to-the-minute insights on real estate market trends, mortgage industry shifts, and what to expect at every stage of your journey. More than just a guide, a great agent will also connect you with trusted lenders, inspectors, and other professionals.

Buying a home is one of the most significant financial and emotional purchases a person will make. That’s why finding a credible agent who understands the home search process and takes the time to listen to your needs, answer your questions, and advocate for your best interests is so important. As you start your search, consider these 10 qualities to look for in a real estate agent to help you find the right fit.

Step 2: Set Your Budget

It may not be the most exciting part of the home-buying journey, but reviewing your finances upfront and understanding what you can afford will save you time and stress down the road. And with 2025’s mortgage rates and affordability challenges, understanding your budget is more important than ever. Your real estate agent can connect you with a reputable mortgage advisor who will help you determine how much you can borrow and explore financing options.

A mortgage advisor will also help you assess different loan options, down payment requirements, and potential programs and tools that could make homeownership more affordable. Once you have a solid budget in place, you can focus your search on homes that truly fit your needs, giving you a better shot at securing the right home in a competitive market.

Step 3: Envision Your Future

A general rule of thumb when purchasing a home is that the investment typically takes about five years to start paying off financially. That’s why choosing a home that meets your current needs and aligns with your future needs is essential. Think about what life might look like in the next five to ten years—will you need more space for a growing family or pets? Do future hybrid work opportunities make walkability, public transportation, or a home office more important? Consider factors like schools, outdoor spaces, and community amenities that align with your evolving lifestyle.

Once you have a clear vision, share these details with your real estate agent. They’ll help you identify homes that offer the flexibility and functionality to grow with you, ensuring your next home is the right fit for today and the future.

Step 4: Research Neighborhoods and Communities

Another critical step in finding the right home is researching and exploring the neighborhoods and communities that align with your lifestyle. Consider factors important to you, like local schools, dining and shopping, outdoor recreation, and community culture. It’s also worth looking into crime rates, insurance costs, potential future developments, or even risk zones such as flood zones, as these can impact both your living experience and long-term investment. A holistic approach to your home search will ensure you love your house and the life you build around it.

Step 5: Visualize Your Ideal Home

Once you’ve narrowed your search, it’s time to dream a little—but stay realistic. Make a list of the features that matter most, dividing them into “must-haves” and “really wants.” You can use visualization tools like mood boards or apps like Pinterest to bring your vision to life. When you’ve outlined your priorities, share them with your agent and stay flexible—you may find the perfect balance of practicality and potential in an unexpected place.

Bonus Tips: Keep Your Finger on the Pulse of the Real Estate Market

Real estate is always changing, and staying informed can give you a competitive edge. Follow local market reports, real estate websites, and social media platforms, and keep in touch with your agent for the latest insights on pricing trends, inventory, and new listings.

For more tips and a step-by-step guide to buying a home, visit our “Buyer Basics” page or to connect with an experienced Windermere agent, get started here:

Real Estate News & Information • February 18, 2025

Local Market Update – February 2025

by Don Koonce

Local Market Update – February 2025

The start of the year is typically a quieter time for the housing market, but this year continued the trend of year-over-year growth. Across all of our Puget Sound area markets, active residential listings increased significantly – both month over month and year over year – bringing much-needed inventory to buyers. While rising supply often improves affordability, home prices and interest rates remain elevated. Additionally, upcoming immigration policies and tariffs could drive up construction costs, further influencing pricing. How these factors interact will be key as we approach the spring market.

In King County, the median residential sold price in January edged up 1% year over year, from $849,850 to $855,000. The number of active listings surged 50% compared to last January and rose 20% from December, offering buyers more choices. Closed residential sales increased 10% year over year but declined 28% from the previous month. The condo market in King County saw more dramatic shifts, with the median sold price rising 21% from $495,000 to $600,000. Meanwhile, active condo listings soared 85% year over year, significantly expanding buyer options.

Seattle’s median residential sold price in January remained stable at $857,500, reflecting a slight 1% year-over-year dip from $869,000. More single-family homes entered the market, with active residential listings up 36% from a year ago. Closed residential sales rose 9% in the same timeframe, while pending sales jumped 50% between December and January – good news for sellers as it indicates strong buyer activity in the new year. Seattle condos saw price growth, with the median sold price climbing 28% year over year from $537,500 to $689,975. Active condo listings increased 52%, giving buyers more options in this segment of the market.

The Eastside saw an impressive 17% year over year increase in the median residential sold price, rising from $1,465,000 in January 2024 to $1,709,000 in January 2025. Prices were also up 11% from last month. Despite this appreciation, buyers gained more opportunities as active residential listings grew 61% year over year and 32% month over month. Meanwhile, closed residential sales rose 3% from last year. With more options available, some price stabilization may be on the horizon. Eastside condos saw even greater growth, with the median sold price increasing 29% year over year from $570,000 to $724,000. Active condo listings skyrocketed 128% compared to last January, and closed sales increased 77% in the same period.

Snohomish County saw the highest increase in active residential listings, jumping 78% year over year. Meanwhile, closed residential sales declined 5% from last January and dropped 26% from December – a potential benefit for buyers as they face less competition. The median residential sold price in January rose 5% from $729,990 a year prior to $770,000, indicating that demand remains strong. Condos in Snohomish County also saw notable gains, with the median sold price increasing 15% year over year to $570,000. Meanwhile, active condo listings surged 189%, dramatically raising inventory for prospective buyers.

As more sellers enter the market ahead of spring, active listings will likely continue to rise, providing buyers with additional opportunities. At the same time, shifting economic conditions in the upcoming months may create new challenges and amplify existing ones. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, connect with a Windermere advisor for expert guidance and real-time strategies in today’s evolving real estate market.

More.

Sellers • February 13, 2025

Minimize Stress While Selling Your Home

by Don Koonce

After years of collecting furniture, plants, and memories, the thought of preparing your home to sell and moving to a new one can be daunting and stir up a lot of emotions. But selling your home doesn’t have to be stressful; here are a few tips to help make it easier.

Involve your agent early

The earlier you involve your Windermere Real Estate agent, the better they can set you up for success. When you reach out to them, they’ll be able to evaluate your home with their expert opinion based on their experience, and determine what needs to be done.

You and your agent will come up with a plan and timeline that works for you. After they do a comparative market analysis, they’ll have a good idea of what it will take to get the best price for your home. They may suggest you move out so the home can be professionally staged and easily accessed by potential buyers, or if that’s not an option, they will provide insights on what you can do yourself so you can live there while it’s on the market.

They may also see opportunities that are easy to implement, like improving the landscaping for curb appeal or minor projects that can increase your home value.

Get an inspection & make necessary repairs

Some sellers may be concerned that their property isn’t in the best condition and that this will impact their home’s value. While some repairs may need to be done before putting your home on the market, you might be surprised that you don’t have to fix everything.

By getting a pre-inspection you’ll know what all needs to be done right away and what can wait. Your Windermere agent will be able to help you understand the inspection report and make decisions based on the condition of your home and the current market. Some repairs will be more important than others, things like a new roof or water heater can help new buyers feel more comfortable in their purchase while a trending remodel may interfere with the buyers own plans for the space.

Split up the selling process into approachable pieces

Once you have a vision for everything that you need to do to get your home prepared to sell, it’s a good idea to split the full project into smaller pieces that you can tackle one by one. You’ll want to determine what needs to be done first, like an inspection or small remodel, and what items can be done at the same time, like moving out and staging. If you take this approach, the final preparations will feel less overwhelming.

When you prepare well ahead of time, the actual process of selling will be less overwhelming, and you’ll have the confidence that you’ve done everything you can to make the most of the investment you put into your home.

Then comes packing and moving, but don’t worry, we have some tips to make that easier too, read here.

Sellers • February 11, 2025

Simple Tips to Make Your Move Easier

by Don Koonce

Your needs as a homeowner change over time, and you need the right home to fit those needs. Accordingly, it’s highly likely that at some point in your future you will experience another moving day. While moving can be challenging, the following moving tips will make it easier. If you are remaining in your current area, your Windermere agent can continue to be a valuable resource on schools, utilities, transportation, recreational opportunities, and more.

If you are moving out of the area, your agent can help you with a referral to another reputable agent in your new community. Many agents also have relationships with real estate-related service companies in their area whom they can call upon for information regarding title, escrow, mortgages, temporary housing while you sell your home, and moving services. They can also help guide you in your search as you learn more about new communities and relocation services.

Preparing to Sell Your Home: A Complete Checklist

Helpful Moving Tips

Once you have decided to sell your home, it’s time to gather information and get organized. Begin by creating a “moving” file to keep track of your estimates, receipts, and other pertinent information. If you’re moving for a job, some expenses may be deductible, so you’ll want the paperwork when tax time comes.

If you are moving out of the area, start researching your new community and ask your agent for help in finding a referral agent. You’ll also want to determine whether you want to rent first or buy immediately. Your new agent should be able to help you with your decision. Once you know where you’re going, you’re also ready to get estimates from moving companies.

You’ve Decided to Sell Your Home—Now What?

A middle-aged Caucasian woman explores quotes from moving companies on her phone in her living room. She is surrounded by moving boxes.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: svetikd

Moving to Your New Home

After you have chosen a moving date and either hired a moving company or reserved a rental truck, it’s time to wrap things up in your old neighborhood and start establishing relationships where your new home is located. This is particularly important if you are moving to a new town/city. You may want to ask your current doctors, dentists, etc. if they have any referrals on care providers in your new location. Be sure to check their recommendations on your insurance company’s online provider search list. Once you arrive, you may also want to ask new coworkers, friends, or the school nurse for their recommendations.

Contact your children’s school and/or day care and arrange for their records to be transferred. Call your insurance agent about homeowners insurance coverage. Remember to contact utility companies to disconnect, transfer or end service in your current home and turn on service in your new home.

You’ll want to file a change of address form with the U.S. Postal Service, either online or at your local office. If you don’t know your new address, have them hold your mail at the post office in your new locale. Don’t forget to cancel or transfer magazine and newspaper subscriptions as well.

If you belong to a health club or other association, contact them about ending or transferring your membership. Some clubs require written notice before cancellation. Finally, contact your bank or credit union to transfer or close accounts; if you have a safe-deposit box, don’t forget to clean it out before you leave.

Preparing for Moving Day

With moving day in sight, it’s time to get organized. Here are a few moving tips to check off your list before you start packing:

Tie up loose ends. Be sure to send out an email or change of address cards with your new contact information to family, friends, and associates. Return library books and any other borrowed items you may still have.
Triage your possessions. Determine what you are taking with you, what you are giving away to friends, family, or a favorite charity, and what is going to the dump or recycling center. If you have time, you can hold a garage sale or post items for sale online.
Clean up. Drain all gas and oil from your mower, other machinery, gas grills, kerosene stoves and lamps, etc., before loading them onto a moving truck. Empty, defrost, and clean your refrigerator at least 24 hours before your move, and prepare other appliances for moving as well.
Have your car serviced. This is especially important if you are driving to your new home.

Moving Tips: Packing Strategies

If you are doing your own packing, start collecting boxes and/or buy them from your movers. It may take a few days to do your packing, so be sure to pack non-essential items first and label them carefully. If you have any valuables, it’s recommended that you take them with you as opposed to packing them. You risk the chance of losing those items if they’re packed away in boxes. It’s also smart to take along a box of essentials, including items such as toilet paper, paper towels, tape, soap, scissors, pens, paper, and your toiletries. That way you won’t have to track these items down once you’ve arrived in your new home.

For more information on how to make your move easier, visit our Moving Checklist here:

Moving Checklist: A Step-by-Step Guide

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Edwin Tan

Buyers • February 6, 2025

What’s a Home Warranty and Why Do You Need One?

by Don Koonce

To be a homeowner is to understand that things can change at a moment’s notice. It’s only a matter of time before the systems in your home break and your appliances are on the fritz. But this inevitable truth isn’t meant to be all doom and gloom. Fortunately, you can protect yourself against these events with a home warranty.

The Life Expectancy of Your Home

What is a home warranty?

A home warranty and homeowners insurance both protect homeowners against unexpected events. A standard homeowners insurance policy typically covers your home, your belongings, injury, or property damage to others, and living expenses if you are unable to live in your home temporarily because of an insured disaster.

The policy likely pays to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged or destroyed by disasters, such as wildfires, a winter storm, or lightning. Your belongings, such as furniture and clothing, are also insured against these types of disasters, as well as theft. Some risks, such as your home flooding, are routinely excluded from homeowners insurance policies.

A home warranty picks up where homeowners insurance leaves off by covering some or all of your HVAC, electrical systems, plumbing, and major appliances. A home warranty contract pays for the repair costs associated with these household items. However, if something in your home has not been properly maintained, your home warranty likely won’t cover it. Clarify the specifics of your policy’s language regarding proper maintenance with your warranty provider to avoid potential disagreements. Most home warranties are good for one year with the ability to renew annually.

What does a home warranty cover?

Home warranty policies vary by provider and location. Different coverages offer different protections among your home’s systems and appliances, or a combination of the two. Fees vary as well, based on your plan’s coverages and applicable service fees.

A young interracial heterosexual couple sits at their dining room table in the open concept kitchen of their new home reviewing their home warranty policy printed out with their laptop open.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: PeopleImages

Why do you need a home warranty?

Home warranties have several benefits both for buyers and sellers. For buyers, you can rest assured that your appliances are covered if and when they break down. This saves you from unexpected repair bills from having to hire a contractor. And when selling your home, a home warranty can serve as a way to differentiate your property over other listings. When buyers know a home is protected with a warranty, they can buy with confidence.

Finding the Right Home Warranty

As with anything in the home buying or selling process, it’s important to shop around when searching for the right home warranty policy. During your discovery process, ask questions about the policy’s costs, its dollar amount limit, which items it covers, and its applicable fees including service calls. Talk to your agent about trusted warranty providers in your area.

For more information on protecting your home, visit the Living section on our blog:

Windermere Blog – Living

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Pekic

Living • February 4, 2025

7 Tips for Cleaning Your Appliances

by Don Koonce

Your appliances help your home run like a well-oiled machine. But without the proper cleaning and maintenance, they can make your life more complicated. When thinking about the most helpful cleaning tips around the house, we often center our efforts on open, high-foot-traffic areas. However, spending some time cleaning your appliances will have your home feeling fresher than ever.

7 Tips for Cleaning Your Appliances

1. Cleaning Your Refrigerator

Your refrigerator is the lifeblood of your food supply. A clean refrigerator equates to fresher food and a healthier household. Start by clearing the shelves and bins so you can access the tough-to-reach spots and corners. Wipe everything down with soap and warm water or try an equal-parts mixture of vinegar and water as a cleaning solution. This is also a good time to reorganize your refrigerator to cut down on food waste.

5 Ways to Create a Sustainable Kitchen

2. How to Clean Your Microwave

One simple cleaning hack can have your microwave looking brand new. Fill a microwave-safe bowl or container with water and heat it up until it starts to boil. Turn off the microwave and let the heated water sit for at least five minutes, then safely remove it. By heating up the water, the food particles caked on the walls of your microwave will be much easier to wipe away. To eliminate germs, disinfect your microwave’s handle and buttons.

13 Appliance Tips & Hacks for Household Chores

3. Espresso Machine / Coffee Maker

If your coffee maker is kaput, your whole morning routine gets thrown off. Whether you use a stovetop coffee maker, French press, espresso machine, or a good old coffee pot, performing regular maintenance will decrease bacteria and mold growth. Periodically separate the removable parts of your coffee maker and wash them thoroughly with warm soap and water. If you have a coffee press, run the parts through the dishwasher occasionally to prevent buildup in the mesh.

How to Prevent and Deal with Mold

A closeup shot of a person’s hands. Wearing yellow rubber gloves, they clean the face of an electric stove and oven range.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: kirstyokeeffe

4. Dishwasher Cleaning Tips

If your dishwasher isn’t clean, your dishes won’t be either. Get it in pristine condition with a few simple cleaning tips. After cleaning all food scraps and gunk from the drain, wipe down the gaskets with warm soapy water. Though there are a variety of dishwasher cleaning products available, you can give your appliance a thorough deep cleaning with vinegar and baking soda. Fill a dishwasher safe container with one to two cups of vinegar and place it in the top rack. Run a cycle without dishwasher detergent nor other dishes. Once the cycle is complete, sprinkle roughly a cup of baking soda along the bottom rack and run another cycle.

A Guide to Going Low-to-Zero Waste

5. How to Clean Your Stove Top

No matter how tidy you are as you cook your stove top will collect debris and buildup from splattering oil, butter, and food particles. Throw on some rubber gloves and get ready to give it some elbow grease. Soaking food buildup with warm water will break it down and make cleanup easier. Use a hard plastic scraper to get your stove top totally clean. If your burners are removable, remove them and soak them in water to get them sparkling clean.

Gas Appliances vs. Electric Appliances

6. Cleaning Your Washing Machine

Seeing stains in your freshly washed loads of laundry? It’s time to give your washing machine some TLC. Fortunately, your washing machine can do most of the cleaning work itself. Add a little vinegar to the drum and run a cycle on your machine’s hottest setting. Many newer models come with self-cleaning features and higher energy efficiency ratings to save water on each load.

8 Tips for a More Energy Efficient Home

7. Dryer Cleaning Tips

Don’t forget about your dryer, too! Dryer maintenance is largely a matter of cleaning out the lint traps regularly (after each use) and vacuuming the mesh. Without proper maintenance, your dryer can get clogged, leaving your washed clothes damp. And if enough dryer lint builds up, it could start a fire.

Tips for Emergency Preparedness

For more helpful cleaning tips, read our blog post on commonly missed cleaning spots throughout your home:

6 Commonly Missed Cleaning Spots

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: dusanpetkovic

Design • January 30, 2025

Refresh Your Bathroom into a Spa

by Don Koonce

Image Source: Canva

With some creative thinking and a few do-it-yourself projects, you too can transform an everyday bathroom into a spa-like experience:

High-end shower head
There are a plethora of shower head options available today that can make even a simple shower space feel like a luxuriating experience.

Heated towel rack
Once out of the tub/shower, heated towels help you comfortably maintain your body temperature while the pampering continues.

Dimmable lights
Adjust the bathroom lights to match your moods and activities: brighter for primping, and dimmed to create a calming effect.

Less clutter
Not everything that’s meant for the bathroom needs to be stored in the bathroom. Look for things that can be moved elsewhere to make the space feel a bit bigger and more organized.

Calming scents
Essential oils, luxury soaps, and scented candles are an easy way to create an aromatic atmosphere of luxuriousness.

Sellers • January 28, 2025

Staying Safe When Selling Your Home

by Don Koonce

Staying organized while selling your home can feel impossible, especially if you’re buying a new home at the same time. There’s also the pressure to keep your home clean and tidy for showings to prospective buyers. In all the chaos, taking the proper safety precautions can fall by the wayside, but it is something that should be prioritized. Keep these safety tips in mind as you work with your agent to sell your home.

We’ve assembled a comprehensive checklist of the common tasks required to get your home ready to sell. It is available as an interactive web page and downloadable PDF here:

Get Ready to Sell Checklist

How to Prepare for an Open House

Open houses are a major driver of buyer interest. Preparing for an open house is a matter of boosting curb appeal, cleaning, and staging to get your home in tip-top shape. It’s vital that you and your agent take certain safety precautions, given that you likely won’t be on sight when the open houses occur. Buyers often feel uneasy in the presence of the seller when touring a home. It also makes it more difficult for them to visualize the space as their own. Accordingly, it’s best to let your agent handle the open house. Here is a helpful list of how to prepare.

Staying Safe When Selling Your Home

Go through your medicine cabinets and remove all prescription medications.
Remove or lock up precious belongings and personal information. You will want to store your jewelry, family heirlooms, and personal/financial information in a secure location to keep them from getting misplaced or stolen.
It is best to remove all family photos during the staging process so potential buyers can see themselves living in the home; it’s also a good way to protect your privacy.
Check that your windows and doors are secure before and after showings. If an intruder is looking to get back into your home following a showing or an open house, they will look for weak locks or unlocked windows and doors.
Consider extra security measures such as an alarm system or other monitoring tools like home security cameras.

A real estate agent performs a walkthrough of a new home for a prospective buyer. The agent leads the buyer through the open kitchen/dining room area. The home has dark hardwood floors and geometric wallpaper along the kitchen island.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: ferrantraite

Talk to your agent about the following safety precautions:

Perform a thorough walk-through with your agent to make sure you have identified everything that needs to be removed or secured (medications, belongings, photos, etc.)
Go over your agent’s screening process so you are both on the same page about how to qualify buyers before showings.
Lockboxes to secure your keys for showings should be up to date. Electronic lockboxes track who has accessed your home.
Go through your home’s entrances and exits and share important household information so your agent can advise you on how to secure your property while it’s on the market.

To connect with a local, experienced Windermere Real Estate agent, get started by clicking the button below:

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: xavierarnau

SOLD • January 23, 2025

SOLD: Sophisticated Condo with Gorgeous River Views

by Don Koonce

55 Williams Avenue S #305
Renton, WA 98057
Listed at $465,000

MLS #: 2306078
Days on OneHome: 19
Beds: 2
Baths: 2

Sophisticated 2bed/2bath with gorgeous river views in coveted 55 Williams Community. Beautiful modern finishes, views from nearly every room, swanky new firplc w/ remote flame, granite kitchen w/ bar seating open to living spaces, appliances barely unwrapped, private covered balcony for year-round enjoyment of the river. Abundant storage, W/D in-unit, secure garage, elevator-no steps! Dream location w/ every amenity on the dial: Walk to fun downtown Renton, Boon Boona coffee, pubs-to-fine dining, bookstores, antiques, Transit Center & more. Bushels of necessities & entertainment at Renton Landing, Cedar River Trail is curb side, short hop to kayaking at Coulon Park. Superbly maintained by strong HOA—ideal turnkey for lock & go living! More.

Living • January 21, 2025

Simple Ways to Conserve Energy at Home

by Don Koonce

Whether you want to use less energy to reduce your carbon footprint or your monthly costs, there are plenty of easy ways to conserve the electricity and natural gas you’re using in your home. Energy conservation can be as simple as closing your curtains, changing a light bulb, turning down your thermostat, or closing the fireplace damper. Many of the most inexpensive solutions quickly pay for themselves in conservation, which you ultimately benefit from when you get your power bill.

Do Your Chores During “Off Peak” Hours

One of the biggest ways you can conserve energy is to take advantage of “off-peak” hours. This is a step that everyone can take because it simply involves shifting your use of major appliances, such as ovens, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers, to a time when the demand on the power supply is lower.

Check with your power company to see if they have peak hour rate changes and adjust your schedule as you can to do your laundry and dishes during the off-peak times.

And when it’s time, upgrade your large appliances to Energy Star products for the most efficient and use of your power.

Small Changes in Your Laundry Cycle

Another way you can save energy is by washing your clothes in cold water and only running full loads. This reduces the need for your machine to heat the water and has the double benefit of keeping your clothes in good condition for longer, further reducing your textile waste when you don’t have to replace your clothes as often.

To speed up the clothes drying process, add a dry towel or two to your machine to soak up excess moisture. Another option is wool dryer balls which not only help clothes dry faster, but you can also add drops of your favorite essential oils in place of single-use dryer sheets, which cause dust build up in your dryer vents and add to the landfill.

It’s also important to keep to a maintenance schedule with your washer and dryer. Clear out the lint trap after every load and make sure the dryer hose and vent are clear. Clean the filter on your washer once a month to keep things running efficiently.

More: Saving in the Laundry Room

Heating and Cooling Tips

Heating and cooling systems account for almost half of home energy consumption but luckily there are several easy ways you can reduce your home’s demand.

Conventional measures, such as setting back your thermostat, are effective at lowering your energy use and costs. In fact, the Department of Energy estimates you can save 10 percent on your power bill if you turn your thermostat temperature down by 10 degrees for eight hours a day. Here are a few ways you can reduce energy consumption and save money:

Experiment with the temperature that you’re most comfortable with to determine if you can keep your thermostat set to a lower temperature.
Set a schedule on your thermostat to change the temperature of your home when you’re asleep or not home, in the winter set it lower, in the summer set it higher.
Close your blinds and shades to keep the air from escaping through the windows, and to keep the sun from heating up the air inside your home.
Keep the fireplace damper closed unless you have a fire burning. Leaving the damper open can cause drafts and heat loss throughout your house.

It’s also important to keep your HVAC system clean and maintained. Change your furnace filter frequently, clear out any dusty ducts, and keep the air in your home clean with air purifiers. Doing so will enable your heating system to run more efficiently and be more cost-effective.

Update Your Lighting

It’s estimated that lighting accounts for 15 percent of your overall home energy bill, so another way you can conserve, other than turning the lights off when you leave a room, is by using energy-saving light emitting diodes (LEDs).

LEDs use about 90% less energy and last up to 25x longer than incandescent lightbulbs. They’re available in a number of shapes, sizes, and tones, making it an easy replacement for almost any bulb in your home. When shopping for LEDs, look for those with the Energy Star label on them—this ensures that you’re purchasing a product that has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

More: How to Find the Right Lighting For Your Home

For more information about energy conservation, please visit www.energystar.org.