| The easiest way to go green and save money on | | | | Check your hot water heater tank as well. By |
| your energy bills at the same time is have your | | | | adding an insulation blanket (which you can pick up |
| home tested for energy efficiency. Energy | | | | for $20 at any home center such as Lowes or |
| efficient homes use less power, saving you | | | | Home Depot) around your tank you will make |
| money while helping the environment. | | | | your water heater more efficient by keeping the |
| Here's a short list of some simple things that you | | | | heat in the cylinder where it belongs rather than |
| can do right now that can make your home more | | | | escaping to its surroundings. |
| efficient. | | | | You should also check the age of your appliances. |
| Begin by checking for drafts around your doors, | | | | Many older appliances are not as energy-efficient |
| windows, fireplaces, attic entrances, etc. Basically, | | | | as the newer ones. You can recognize the newer, |
| anywhere that you have an opening in your | | | | more energy efficient appliances as they feature |
| home's walls or ceilings put your hand next to it | | | | the EnergyStar logo. If your budget allows for it, |
| and see if you feel a slight breeze. Those slight | | | | you may want to replace your appliances that are |
| breezes will allow your warm air to leak out of | | | | 15 years and older, doing so can add up to major |
| your home in the winter and your cold air in the | | | | savings over the years with reduced power bills. |
| summer, which causes your furnace or air | | | | Don't forget the basics of checking your light |
| conditioner to work harder, costing you money. If | | | | bulbs to see if you're using the appropriate |
| you reduce these drafts you will save up to 25% | | | | wattage in each appliance. If you're using a |
| on your energy bill per year, which adds up to | | | | 100-watt bulb in a lamp that only needs a 65 or |
| serious savings over time. | | | | 70-watt one, you may be using more energy |
| Another way of checking your home's energy | | | | than you need to. Swapping out traditional bulbs |
| efficiency is to see how much and what type of | | | | for compact florescent bulbs can also reduce your |
| insulation you have in your attic. If it's less than | | | | power usage. The initial cost of a CFL bulb is 4 - |
| the recommended amount, then your home is | | | | 10 times higher than a traditional bulb but they last |
| losing heat out of the roof. By installing more | | | | up to ten times longer and pay for themselves in |
| insulation your home will hold in heat more | | | | energy savings in a few months. |
| effectively. | | | | |