Depending on how you approach energy efficiency at home, it can either be an
enjoyable treasure hunt for sources of energy savings, or a laborious chore that
you're required to do in order to save a little money. We're all worried about
soaring energy prices and the challenge of staying within our household budgets
in the coming years and months, but don't fret.
There are some very practical, low-cost ways to make your home run more
efficiently and save money every month on electricity and heating bills, while
reducing your total impact on the earth. Let's get started!
Get your home tested: Almost any home would benefit from receiving a home energy
audit. Whether you do one yourself or have a professional walk through your
space, it'll help you pinpoint areas where you can improve to make your home
more energy efficient. The test usually covers your home's exterior, including
foundation, roofing, windows, doors, and percentage of exposed walls, and then
considers the interior systems, such home heating and cooling, appliances, water
fixtures, electronics, lighting, and more. When you're done, take the plan and
start to make improvements. You may even find that federal and municipal
incentives and tax rebates exist to defray the costs of any retrofits.
Add timers to appliances: You can reduce your energy consumption by ensuring
appliances are only working when they're required. For instance, installing a
programmable thermostat can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent,
saving close to $150 every year for some homes. You can also install a timer on
your water heater to program it to heat water only when it's most needed.
Another common place for timers is for lighting. Simple timers that turn lights
on and off at pre-set times every day can help to prevent you accidentally
leaving lights on after you exit a room. And motion sensors can be used to
automatically turn lights off in closets, garages, and backyards so that you're
not running them when no one's around.
Dial down for savings: Many appliances can be dialled down to cut energy
consumption. Turn the temperature setting down a couple of degrees on both your
furnace and water heater during cold weather without losing comfort-you'll see
the difference on your energy bill. Raise the temperature on your air
conditioner a degree or two, too, during hot weather. Your home may not be as
chilly, but you'll likely still live within your comfort limits. Make similar
adjustments with other appliances such as your refrigerator and freezer to see
additional savings.
Upgrade your lighting:  If you haven't yet, go out and get yourself some
compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) to use throughout your home. Contrary to their
flickery, yellow ancestors, today's CFLs are much improved and come in a variety
of colors, shapes, and sizes. They do cost more upfront than conventional
incandescent bulbs, but they generally pay for themselves in a couple of months
or a year. And since they last much longer, you'll also be changing bulbs less
frequently. Just be sure to recycle them when they burn out to ensure proper
containment of the tiny amount of mercury they contain. LEDs (light-emitting
diode) bulbs are another great option since they're even more efficient and
longer-lasting than CFLs. And they can be used for more than your holiday
decorations-think landscape lighting, task lamps, and more.
Find out more:
' US EPA Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit
' Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency 

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