Big Home Energy Returns for Under $100

o  Install compact fluorescent lights or LED’s in all fixtures – inside and outside
     A regular lightbulb is also a heater, in the summer it will make your house  
    warmer.  Each compact fluorescent lightbulb can save you up to $50 during the 
    life of the bulb!
o  Install a programmable thermostat
o  Weatherize doors and windows - A few inexpensive tubes of caulk and rolls of
    weatherstripping can help reduce heating bills by 20 percent and cooling bills by
    10 percent.
o  Check your furnace filter.
o  Insulate above recessed ceiling can lights

• Older recessed cans need to have insulated boxes around them
• Can Fixtures rated IC – can have insulation In Contact with them – check inside fixture

o  Install insulated panel on attic access door
o  Tune up heating and cooling equipment
o  Install a water heater blanket 
o  Install a water-saving showerhead. A family of four can cut their water-heating 
    costs by $250 a year just by switching to an energy-saving showerhead.
o  Unplug energy vampires or use a smart strip.
     Even when electrical items are turned off, they are still using electricity.  By
    shutting down these energy leaks in the U.S., 17 coal burning power plants
    could be closed.  Or it would save the equivalent of 330 million barrels of oil each
    year.


Green products:
New Leaf America - A variety of green products for your home, including compact fluorescent bulbs in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - http://safecosmetics.org/   Find out if the bath and cosmetic products you use are safe.
 

 

Be green and save some green:
o   Recycle water by using it to water plants
o   Dress warm to use less heat
o   Dress cool to use less air conditioning
o   Take shorter showers
o   Use cloth towels instead of paper towels
o   Buy recyclable products whenever possible
o   You save 15% by driving 55mph instead of 65
o   Use the air conditioner sparingly
o   Service your car
o   Don’t leave doors open longer than it takes to go in or out
o   Use the automatic setting on the thermostat
o   Read a book instead of watching TV
o   Don’t leave computer, TVs, or other appliances on when not in use
o   Make sure all doors are closed tightly 
o  Keep draperies, shades, and blinds open on sunny winter days, especially with windows on the south side of your home, and closed on hot and sunny summer days