As we enter the last week of National Energy Awareness Month, it’s time to start thinking ahead to how you can improve your home energy efficiency and energy consumption habits throughout the year. The decision to start saving energy doesn’t happen in a day, or even in a month. It’s a long-term process that requires ongoing commitment to energy consciousness and individual initiatives to relearn bad habits.

Looking ahead, here is a checklist of things you can do today, this week, and this year to improve your energy efficiency.

Today

Turn off the lights in unoccupied rooms
Power down your computer between uses
Unplug electronics when not in use
Close open windows when the heat or air conditioning is running
Program your thermostat (if it’s programmable)
Lower the temperature of your water heater to the “warm” setting (120°F)

This Week

Swap incandescent bulbs for CFLs
Flip your ceiling fan blades to reduce winter heating costs
Change your furnace filters
Seal any noticeable air leaks, such as a leaky window or door
Schedule your seasonal furnace tune-up
Start studying your monthly utility bill to track improvement in energy use

This Year

Switch to a Nest Learning Thermostat
Purchase low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators to reduce water consumption
Schedule a professional home energy audit
Insulate any areas of your home that are not already, such as attics or crawlspaces
Replace outdated, inefficient appliances with new EnergyStar rated products
Upgrade old windows with energy-efficient models

As you start the process of learning to be more energy conscious, it may feel like you’re just taking baby steps. However, even small changes can have a big impact in your overall energy savings. For example, simply taking advantage of settings on your programmable thermostat can save as much as $180/year! Take those small behavioral changes on an individual level and magnify them worldwide, and some estimates say we could be saving an additional $3 billion in energy costs every year.