How to Save Money and Energy in Your Home

We all want to save money and energy in our homes. This helps our financial situations, as well as conserving energy which are both great things. These are some ideas that can help you literally save money and energy if you put them into action. You may find some things you didn't know needed attention.

1. Gather your utility bills and separate out the electricity and fuel bills. For your electric bills, look for the largest bill so that you can target those things for possible conservation remedies. You can see what is taking up the most money and energy this way.

2. Consider insulating hot water pipes and ducts if they should run through unheated areas.

3. When was the last time, if ever, that you looked in your attic or crawl space? Find out if these areas are insulated, and with how much insulation? You may be surprised that you could do a better job than has been done.

4. Consider scheduling an energy audit from your utility company or possibly a state energy office. This will give you more expert advice on your home as a whole.

5. At night and/or when you leave your house, adjusting your thermostat can save you money. You can save heating energy in the winter, and cooling energy in the summer months. Some people like programmable thermostats to help in this regard.

6. Know how to look for air leaks in your home. Some may be larger than others, and the larger they are, the quicker you want to address those issues. Listen for areas that "whistle" on a windy day or feel drafty when you stand near it, or walk by. This can be near windows or doors, but also most often through utility cut-throughs for pipes or plumbing. Sometimes it can be gaps around a chimney, or recessed lights in insulated ceilings. There are a lot of possible scenarios, and you can hire an energy auditor with tools to find out where the worst leaks are. Often, they add up to as much as if a door or window were left open on a cold or hot day. That is just too much wasted energy and money!

7. Check insulation around the whole house. You can have an insulation contractor come in to help.

8. You can help with the energy from air conditioning by planting shade trees around your home, and shrubs as well. The sun won't be just hitting the house directly in as many areas heating it up more than necessary. That is a double benefit, inside and out. Adding more beauty with more trees and shrubs is a win-win.

9. Get an upgrade in your windows. There may be more energy efficient models now from those that are currently being used.

10. Consider getting new more energy efficient appliances. Often it is a good investment to upgrade to a more energy efficient model anyway.

There is more than can be said, but this is usually a great starting point for people that haven't checked these things in a few years or perhaps ever. Think of it, a snug warm house in the winter, and a nice cool home in the hot summer months.