New Year Resolution

What is your New Years Resolution? I would bet that it has something to do with money.

Every year data from the U.S. Department of Energy suggests that heating and cooling are the largest energy expenses in most homes across the U.S. This year why not ring in the New Year with the promise to start saving energy... and in return saving yourself money.

Here are nine helpful tips to make your home more energy efficient for 2009.


1. Energy Saving Appliances - In the kitchen, energy and water
usage can be greatly reduced by up to fifty percent with energy
efficient appliances.

2. Lighting - Replace standard light bulbs with CFL's. They last
up to ten times as long and use one-fourth of the energy. Skylights
are also a great way to brighten up dimly lit areas and save on
electricity.

3. Windows - Window replacement will dramatically reduce your
energy usage. New energy efficient windows are twice as efficient as
the average window produced ten years ago. They are available in a
variety of options and designs. If new windows are not in your budget,
you can boost your home's energy efficiency by repairing older windows
that are rotted, damaged with cracked glass or missing putty.

4. Walls - Make sure that any exterior wall penetrations into the
house (including dryer vents, cable television lines, power lines, gas
lines, or hose bibs) are properly sealed from both the outside and
inside. Make sure all interior access points into unconditioned spaces
(includes attic or basement/crawlspace access) are tightly closed and
well insulated.

5. Basements - Seal basements and crawlspaces with caulk, spray
foam, or weather-stripping. This will have a great impact on improving
your comfort and reducing utility bills.

6. Attics - Adding extra insulation to your attic can make your
home more comfortable in the winter months, in addition to lowering
your energy bills. A foot of fiberglass or cellulose insulation in the
attic floor is recommended as a cost-effective measure.

7. Plumbing - Insulate hot water pipes and add a re-circulating
valve at the far end of a water supply stack. Put in low flow shower
heads to regulate the times when you need hot water.

8. Hot Water Heater - Make sure to replace your hot water heater
with an energy efficient model. Also, invest in a hot water heater
jacket. The jackets cost around twenty-five dollars and can
potentially save ten to twenty dollars a month in energy costs.

9. Inspection - Have a specialist look over your HVAC system at
least once a year to ensure that your system is running at optimal
performance.