How to Prepare for Skyrocketing Energy Costs

The typical American family spends close to $1,300 a year on energy in the home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. A lot of that energy--and money--is wasted. Think green and make your home as energy-efficient as possible.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Insulate your home. The kind of insulation you should install depends on where you live: enter your ZIP code and get recommendations at www.ornl.gov/~roofs/Zip/ZipHome.html.
2. Save up to 10 percent on your energy bill by caulking, sealing and weather-stripping your home.
3. Get an energy-efficient furnace and air conditioner, and a programmable thermostat. Insulate your ductwork so that the heating and cooling you pay for actually reaches your rooms.
4. Install energy-efficient lighting, such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), in your home. Changing to CFLs can save you about $30 per bulb annually. Outdoors, install high-pressure sodium flood lamps.
5. Shop for energy-saving appliances. Old refrigerators, washers, dryers and dishwashers are all energy hogs. Check online at EnergyStar.gov for specific appliance models. Then check with your local utilities, which may offer rebates if you install energyefficient appliances.
6. Dry your laundry on a clothesline, if you have space to do so (and are permitted). See 62 Organize Your Laundry Center.
7. Tap into the sun's rays for water heating or generating electricity and install photovoltaic panels. You may find yourself selling power back to the utility company. This is called "net metering." Check with local authorities for codes and potential tax breaks and refer to the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy at dsireusa.org.
8. Insulate your water heater's hot water pipes to improve energy efficiency. Or, replace it with a new energy-efficient model. Or, look into installing a tankless, on-demand water heater (see GoTankless.com and other sites).
9. Plant deciduous trees on the south side of your house. These will shade your home in the summer and allow the sun to warm the house in the winter.
10. Replace old windows with double-pane models. In colder climates, look for gas-filled low-emissivity (low-e) windows that reduce heat loss. Where it's warmer, choose windows that have spectrally selective coatings because they reduce heat gain.
11. Have sun-reflective awnings installed over south-facing windows to reduce the need for air-conditioning.
12. Program certain appliances such as air conditioners, hot water heaters, clothes dryers, swimming pool filters and hot tubs to run during off-peak programs for lower utility costs.
13. Keep the flue closed when your fireplace is not in use. When you burn a fire, open the nearest window an inch (so the fire draws cold air from it, not from the rest of the house) and lower your thermostat to between 50 and 55 degrees F (10 to 13 C).
14. Install a whole-house fan. Open windows on cool evenings and let the fan vent hot air into the attic. Investigate at sites such as QuietCoolFan.com and WholeHouseFan.com.

Tips & Warnings

• In the summer, open windows in the evening to bring cool air in. Close your windows and drapes during the day to keep the heat out.
• Maximize water heating efficiency by removing sediment at the base of your water heater's tank. Adjust burners for the most fuel-efficient and safest combustion (blue flames are good, yellow bad).
• Replace dirty air filters to improve air flow and efficiency and to lower utility costs.
• Install ceiling fans to circulate heated air trapped high up at ceilings. Doing so will make your home more comfortable and lower your heating bill. A side benefit is reduced condensation at windows and glass doors.
• According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a well-insulated attic is one of the best ways to improve energy efficiency, save money and increase comfort. It will also prevent ice dams from forming.
• CFLs now include reflectors, three-way bulbs, globes, dimmers, bug lights, outdoor floodlights and many other styles.
• Don't attempt to replace windows or add a photovoltaic system without a proper understanding of techniques, building codes and risks.