Saving money at home doesn't have to cost you anything. It just starts by taking a look inside your home.

Brian Gruis has two kids at home, so saving money is something he thinks about. But he says he hasn't given much thought to cutting energy costs.

Brian Gruis says, "We don't do it a lot, no. We probably should do more. It's just one of those things we don't pay much attention to."

But he says when you take a look at the numbers, it might be worth it especially if there's no cost involved.

Xcel Energy experts say the savings can start with your thermostat. If you set it to 68 degrees your system will operate less and therefore use less energy. What can you save? Up to $70 a year.

If you have a clothes washing machine, use cold water. Washing your clothes in cold water could save you up to $40 a year.

But if you are willing to spend a few dollars, you can save even more. Replacing your furnace filter regularly can reduce heating costs by $35 a year. A programmable thermostat can save up to $70 a year and even using compact fluorescent light bulbs can save money. They may cost more, but you can save $50 over the life of one bulb.

Energy efficient light bulbs is something Brian Gruis says he does use, but he says every other savings is hard to calculate.

Brian Gruis says, "You don't see the actual dollars come into your pocket. You can't go out to eat with those extra fifty dollars unless you budget for it."

If you'd like to learn more about other ways you can save on your everyday budget click here. For a list of Xcel Energy savings tips, click here.