Energy Saving Tips

Space heating (49%) and appliances and lighting (23%) represent the biggest pieces of the average home's utility bill. With that in mind, focus on those two areas first, especially if you have little to spend on weatherization. Ways to cut those costs:

• Turn off the lights when you leave a room
• Close all fireplace dampers
• Seal cracks around windows doors, plumbing fixtures, switches, and outlets; this can save 10% or more on heating and cooling costs.

Leaks
To track those leaks, hold a lit incense stick near windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, and attic hatches. If the smoke stream travels horizontally, get out the caulk, weather strips, and sealants.

Thermostat Settings
During hot summer months, set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and 85 degrees or off when you are away. Using ceiling or room fans allows you to set the thermostat higher because the air movement will cool the room. During cold winter months, set the thermostat at 68 degrees F or lower during the day and 60 degrees F when you're away or sleeping.

Hot Water Heater
Lower your water temperature; most water heaters are set at 140 degrees F, but 120 degrees F will do. And, you'll cut water heating costs by 6% to 10%. Use cold water and cold water detergents whenever possible to wash clothes. Water heating accounts for 90% of the energy used by washing machines. And on sunny days, use a clothesline instead of the dryer.

Filters
Clean or replace the furnace filter every month; some are designed to be washed and reused, and others are disposable. Disposable filters can typically be purchased for a little more than a dollar.

Radiators
Put a sheet of aluminum foil or other non-flammable reflective material behind the radiator. This reflects heat back into the room.

Water Conservation
Install low-flow showerheads, which typically cost between $10 and $20. You'll recoup the investment in about four months by reducing water consumption and energy used to heat the water.

Light Bulbs
If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars.

Each CFL:

• Uses at least 2/3 less energy than standard incandescent bulbs to provide the same amount of light, and last up to 10 times longer.
• Save $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb's lifetime.

Insulation
Only 20 percent of the homes built before 1980 are well-insulated. The following areas in your home need insulation:

• attic
• walls
• floors
• crawl space
• basement
• water heater (wrapping your water heater in a blanket of fiberglass insulation reduces heat loss by 25% to 45%

Insulation = energy efficiency. However, not all insulation produces equal results. Before buying, check the R-value, which measures the insulation's resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value: the greater the insulation's effectiveness.

Heating and Cooling Systems
Purchase energy-efficient heating and cooling units.

For heating systems, look for those with high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The national minimum AFUE is 78%, but some Energy Star models exceed 90% AFUE.

For air conditioners, look for those with a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). In 2006, the minimum required SEER increases from 10 to 13.

Refrigerators
Watch your refrigerator; keep the door closed as much as possible. You also reduce energy use by regularly dusting the coils and by minimizing freezer ice build-up.

Trees
U.S. Department of Energy computer models indicate that just three strategically placed trees can save an average household between $100 and $250 in annual heating and cooling costs.

More Energy-Assistance Resources

Weatherization Assistance Program--Enables low-income families to reduce their average annual energy bills up to $300 by improving the energy efficiency of the home.

Weatherization & Intergovernmental Program--Features a variety of free tools and services offered by the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Energy Savers.

Energy Star--Provides detailed information on energy efficient appliances, lighting, and other products and helps consumers locate stores that sell them.

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy--Lists the performance of the most energy efficient furnaces, boilers, AC units, and heat pumps on its website.

Saving Starts At Home--Whether you're buying an appliance or trying to reduce heating and cooling bills, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, has energy-saving advice for every room.

Energy Savers--The U.S. Department of Energy is encouraging Americans to be more energy efficient at home while offering tips on how to save on utility bills.