| Cold weather makes you think of higher energy bills | | | | Check ducts for leaks. A forced air heating system |
| associated with home heating. Whether you rent or | | | | distributes air through ducts. Poorly connected or |
| own, there are things you can do that will pay off over | | | | insufficiently insulated ducts allow heat to leak out, |
| time. | | | | wasting money. In some cases you can seal ducts |
| MONEY-SAVING TIPS FOR EVERYONE | | | | yourself, but for ducts located in areas not easily |
| Change your furnace filter. A dirty furnace filter makes | | | | accessible it is best to hire a professional. |
| a less efficient furnace that takes longer to heat your | | | | Furnace and window replacement - two larger |
| house, which increases your energy bill. | | | | purchases with long-term benefits |
| Replace bulbs with compact fluorescents. | | | | Love your home and plan to stay in it for the long |
| Approximately 20% of your energy bill comes from | | | | term? Here are two purchases that pay for |
| lighting, according to the U.S. Government's Energy | | | | themselves in the long term: |
| Star website. A compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) | | | | Replace furnace with an energy-efficient one. If your |
| uses about 75% less energy than an incandescent | | | | furnace is more than 10 years old it may not be |
| bulb. CFL bulbs can help compensate for increased | | | | efficient, driving up your monthly heating bills. The |
| energy usage in winter when you use lights more | | | | up-front cost of an Energy Star certified model pays |
| often. | | | | off over time through decreased heating bills. Before |
| MONEY-SAVING TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS | | | | purchasing, see if your utility company will help defray |
| Little things mean a lot | | | | the cost of a qualifying model. |
| Get a home energy audit. Some utility companies offer | | | | Purchase new windows and doors. |
| this service free, or go to the Energy Star website for | | | | According to the ENERGY STAR Windows program, |
| the Home Energy Yardstick to do a self audit. The | | | | an average household spends over 40 percent of its |
| Yardstick compares your energy use to similar | | | | annual energy budget on heating and cooling costs. |
| households nationwide and recommends ways to | | | | Household energy costs in most U.S. homes could be |
| improve energy usage. | | | | reduced by up to 15 percent by installing more |
| Add weather stripping. This keeps out drafts and | | | | energy-efficient windows. |
| reduces heater use. Everything needed to do it | | | | According to a Remodeling Magazine survey, window |
| yourself is available at most home improvement | | | | replacement was the top value remodeling project in |
| stores. | | | | 2006. It surpassed kitchen and bath remodels with |
| Add attic insulation. If your current insulation does not | | | | respect to the cost recouped by owners, 89 percent. |
| cover your floor joists, more insulation may be needed | | | | Because windows last for decades, the National |
| to keep heat from escaping through the roof. Be sure | | | | Fenestration Rating Council encourages you to make |
| to check the R-value, which measures the insulation's | | | | sure you have a good warranty from a company |
| performance. Be sure to seek basic guidance from a | | | | that's going to stick around to back it up. |
| home improvement store or a reliable book if you | | | | Conclusion |
| decide to install it yourself. | | | | When considering energy-related home improvements, |
| Purchase a digital, programmable thermostat. It can | | | | be sure to make a cost versus savings analysis. To |
| save money by automatically reducing home heat | | | | make the biggest impact on energy and money |
| usage when it's not needed as much, such as when | | | | savings, prioritize and start at the top of your list. |
| you are sleeping or away from your home. | | | | |