10 Tips to Make Your Home More Energy – And Cheaper

credit: sebrenner

Focusing on making your home more energy efficient can be good for your wallet as well as for your conscious. These tips can help make your house more environmentally friendly and save you a few dollars as well.

1. Check for “Energy Star” stickers when you buy a new appliance and get the best-rated one you can afford. You’ll save more in the long term.
2. Don’t leave your computer running when you’re not using it.
3. Improve your house’s heating efficiency by covering drafty doors with weather strips.
4. Consider energy needs when planning your garden – choose trees or plants that will provide shade in summer but let light through in winter.
5. Swap all your light bulbs to energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
6. Check for heat leaks around windows and doors, and plug up holes that might be letting the heat out (and the cold in).
7. Don’t heat your house by turning the thermostat to a higher level than you need – rug up and be patient.
8. Replace your top-loader with a front-loading washing machine because they use half the electricity and a third less water.
9. Improve the insulation in your roof and attic areas.
10. Check with your local utility company about rebates available for energy saving devices or appliances.

Tags: Energy Efficiency | Energy Star | Finances | green | lifehacks | Saving | Saving Money