Green Mountain Energy® Blog
Celebrate Earth Day with our 7-Day Smart Home Energy Audit Challenge
Hidden energy waste is common in every home, from devices sipping electricity even when they’re “off” to settings that draw more power than you’d expect.
To celebrate the Earth Day 2026 theme "Our Power, Our Planet," we're sharing our 7-Day Smart Home Energy Audit Challenge. This room-by-room guides will help you find simple ways to reduce your energy use while maximizing your smart home services. In 15 to 20 minutes a day, you can build positive habits that lower your environmental impact and support a cleaner future.
Day 1: Kitchen
What to check:
- Unplug small appliances you don’t use daily.
- Make sure your refrigerator seals are tight to prevent air leaks.
- Optimize your refrigerator energy usage by setting the temperature between 35° and 38°F, and your freezer between 0° and 5°F.
- Clean refrigerator coils at least twice a year for better efficiency.
- Only run a full dishwasher, and skip the auto-dry feature (if applicable).
Day 2: Bedroom
What to check:
- Consider upgrading to a smart thermostat with automated temperature schedules.
- Set smart bulbs on timers so lights turn off automatically in the evening.
- Unplug chargers when not in use.
- Program your nighttime thermostat settings a few degrees higher in warmer months, and a few degrees lower in colder months.
- Set fans to spin counterclockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter.
Day 3: Bathroom
What to check:
- Lower your water heater to about 120°F.
- Fix any leaking faucets or showerheads.
- Limit bathroom fan use to about 15 minutes after showers.
Day 4: Living Room
What to check:
- Enable energy-saving modes on TVs and streaming devices.
- Schedule smart strips to cut power to your entertainment setup overnight.
- Use smart shades or curtains to help naturally regulate indoor temperatures.
- Enable energy-saving modes on TVs and streaming devices.
- Check window seals for drafts using an incense stick or candle.
Day 5: Office
What to check:
- Set computers in sleep mode when inactive and power down at night.
- Switch from traditional power strips to smart ones to increase automation and improve convenience.
- Program your smart power strips to power down your printers and chargers between uses.
Day 6: Garage or shed
What to check:
- Unplug power tools and battery chargers when not in use.
- Evaluate older freezers or refrigerators for efficiency, as they may use more electricity than expected.
- Make sure outdoor lighting uses LEDs or motion-activated fixtures.
- Texas customers can connect their EV through the Green Mountain App for convenient automated charging.
Day 7: Laundry Room
What to check:
- Wash clothes in cold water whenever you can.
- Air dry your clothes if possible.
- Run your appliances after dark.
- Clean the dryer lint trap before each load.
- Check dryer vents for blockages and duct tears.
Next steps: Keep the momentum going
Smart recommendations
Our Texas customers can enroll in the Green Mountain Energy Ready, Set, Relax Smart Thermostat Program. During extreme weather or high-usage periods, your thermostat may adjust by up to 4 degrees to help conserve energy. You can earn bill credits for participating in Ready, Set, Relax events.
Seasonal maintenance
Regular maintenance keeps your home running efficiently year-round. As seasons change, a few simple steps can help you stay efficient both indoors and out.
Track your usage
Your 7-Day Smart Home Energy Audit Challenge will be easier to achieve if you can see your progress. Tools like My Account and the Green Mountain App (for Texas customers) help you gain a clearer picture of your home’s energy patterns and develop a greener routine.
- My Account helps you spot patterns in your household energy use and compares your consumption month-to-month.
- Green Mountain App offers customizable analyses and shows how costs and weather affect your usage. You can also earn badges and rewards for living clean and green.
Earth Day starts at home
Every watt you save adds up to a healthier planet. By completing this 7-day challenge, you’re reducing hidden energy waste and taking meaningful action for Earth Month and beyond.
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