A phone charging on a person's deskJust because the weather gets cooler, doesn’t mean your energy bills must rise. There are some simple ways to conserve energy around your home and help keep your utility bills low.

Wash clothes in cold water. Hot water is one of the most energy-intensive parts of doing laundry, so opt for full loads on cold water whenever possible.

Turn your thermostat back. Some studies show that lowering it by 10-15 degrees for 8 hours can save 5-15% on your heating bill. Programmable thermostats are a great way to automate this process, so you can set it – and forget it!

Let the sun inside. Sunlight is a great way to heat your home naturally. Open curtains and blinds during the day to warm your home, and close them at night to keep the heat inside.

Unplug device chargers when they are not in use. Some chargers continue to pull electricity even after a battery is charged or simply when they are left in an outlet.

Add insulation to your home. Your attic, doors and basement are great places to start when beefing up your home’s insulation to keep unwanted air out and warm air inside. Some utility companies even provide free energy audits and can identify insulation deficiencies around your home.