You don’t have to quit AI to use less energy — try these 7 simple habits

(Image credit: Shutterstock) The good news? A few small adjustments can help you get the same quality results while using AI far more efficiently. Here are seven habits worth adopting.Use the smallest model that gets the job done (Image credit: Anthropic)Not every task requires a flagship reasoning model. If you’re summarizing an email, brainstorming dinner ideas, or proofreading a paragraph, lightweight models with words like Flash, Mini, or Haiku in the name are variants that are fast, capable, and require far less compute. Reserve heavyweight models for complex coding, deep research, or multi-step logic.One detailed prompt is almost always more efficient than five vague ones. Instead of asking, "Write me an email," specify the recipient, key points and desired tone up front. Providing context immediately eliminates back-and-forth follow-ups. This not only helps the environment, but eliminates going over your token usage too quickly.For multi-step projects, staying in one conversation keeps the AI focused on existing context so you don't have to re-explain details. However, once you switch topics or the chat grows very long, start a new thread because sending massive chat histories with every new prompt uses unnecessary compute.Skip image/video generation unless you actually need a visual(Image credit: Pika Labs)AI images and AI video require substantially more computing power than generating text. If an outline, written description or table gets the point across, stick with text. I've noticed sometimes Gemini will generate images without me asking to help illustrate its point. To avoid this, tell the AI up front that you don't need it to generate images unless you ask it to.Avoid endless 'just one more' rerollsIt is easy to fall into the trap of generating one more image, one more logo variation or one more slight rewrite. Experimentation is useful, but recognizing when a result is already "good enough" saves time and prevents unnecessary processing.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.Use traditional search for simple lookups (Image credit: DuckDuckGo)We all know AI is powerful, but it isn't always the right tool for basic information retrieval. When a simple internet search will do, use Google it instead. Even better, try DuckDuckGo, which promises no AI. For example, checking tomorrow’s weather, finding store hours or looking up a phone number is usually faster and less resource-intensive through a standard search engine.Save prompts that consistently workIf you’ve crafted a prompt that reliably produces great results, such as a specific resume reviewer or meal planner, save it in a notes app or standard template. Reusing effective prompts saves time and eliminates trial-and-error generation.Bottom line None of these habits will transform the environmental impact of technology overnight. However, together they promote a more intentional approach to AI. And, as AI becomes more integrated into our lives, knowing when to use it has become just as important as when. Using the right tool for the job, writing clearer instructions and avoiding unnecessary generations ensures you get maximum value from AI while keeping your computational footprint lean. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow us on TikTok. Finally, you can visit our dedicated Tom's Guide Savings Squad hub for expert help on getting the best products for less. More from Tom's GuideThe smartest AI trick isn't a prompt — it's your Google DriveI found ChatGPT's secret menu — these 9 features change everythingI use Gemini Spark daily — here are 7 prompts that show what it can really do Amanda Caswell is the AI Editor at Tom's Guide and one of today’s leading voices in AI and technology. A celebrated contributor to various news outlets, her sharp insights and relatable storytelling have earned her a loyal readership. Amanda’s work has been recognized with prestigious honors, including outstanding contribution to media.Known for her ability to bring clarity to even the most complex topics, Amanda seamlessly blends innovation and creativity, inspiring readers to embrace the power of AI and emerging technologies. As a certified prompt engineer, she continues to push the boundaries of how humans and AI can work together.Beyond her journalism career, Amanda is a long-distance runner and mom of three. She lives in New Jersey.