The days are turning shorter, vacation is over and kids are headed back to school. Does your household make the grade when it comes to energy efficiency? Now is the time to get more serious about saving energy. These quick, cost-saving tips will help you adjust your energy use to match your family's new routine.

Hit the OFF button

Your empty house can still waste plenty of energy. Turn off lights and other devices when you're the last person to leave a room or the house for the day. Simple upgrades, such as LED lights, can help. They use up to 75% less energy than conventional incandescent lights.

Program your thermostat

You can save a lot of energy by adjusting the thermostat to match your family's school and work schedule. Why waste energy keeping an empty house comfortable? ENERGY STAR®-certified smart thermostats optimize savings and convenience by automatically adjusting temperatures based on your schedule. You can also take advantage of advanced features, such as remote control.

Plug smarter

Electronic devices — such as TVs, game consoles and chargers — continue to draw power even when no one is home to use them. Advanced power strips and smart plugs provide a simple energy-saving solution. They automatically cut power to devices when they're not in use.

Draw the curtain on heat gain

Close window treatments when you leave for the day. This action helps block solar heat gain that gets trapped inside your home. Otherwise, your air conditioning system works harder, even at a higher, energy-saving setting.

Close the door on energy waste

As you pack lunches, you may find yourself in and out of the refrigerator a lot. The frequent opening and closing of the door makes the fridge work harder to maintain a consistent temperature and keep things cool.

Take out everything you need at once and close the door quickly. This way, lunch ingredients are easier to access and quicker to pack, saving time and energy.

Call a pro

It's a perfect time of year to consider a home energy audit. Your auditor will inspect your home and provide customized cost-saving efficiency recommendations to help your household pass the test with lower energy bills and increased comfort.