Top 10 Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Save Energy in your Home
(WNC Green Building Council)

1. Seal Leaky Ductwork
Over 20% of the average home's heating and cooling bills go to duct leakage.  Sealing your ducts with mastic can substantially decrease the amount of conditioned air wasted.  For a homewoner, this may cost as little as $10 and two to three hours of time.

2. Servcice your Heating/Cooling System
This is like an annual tune-up for your car.  Do it yourself or pay a technician $75-$100 to clean the unti and replace filters in the furnace and humidifier, insuring that the equipment is running at its most cost-efficient and optimum capacity.

3. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats automatically adjust your home's temperature settings when you're away or sleeping.  When used properly, a programmable thermostat with four temperature settings can save up to $150 a year in energy costs.

4. Switch Light Bulbs to CFL's
If everyone in NC replaced one light bulb with a Compact Flourescent Light Bulb (CFL) it would save 1.5 Million kWh's each day.  These light bulbs provide high quality light output, use 25% of the energy, and last six to ten times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs.

5. Buy Appliances/Electronics with the Energy Star Label
An E-Star refrigerator uses 15% less energy; dishwashers use 25% less; and washing machines use up to 50% less.

6. Add Weather Stripping around Doors/Windows
Use of door thresholds, window caulking and plastic window film could save up to 20% with an investment of as little as $25.

7. Properly Insulate Attics and Roofs
Heat rises and if there isn't enough insulation in the space above, your money is literally going out the roof.  Most ceilings/attic spaces should have at least an R38 rating or about ten inches of insulation.

8. Change Faucets and Showerheads to Low-Flow
A ten minute shower can use less water than a full bath.  With a new 2.5 gal-per-minute (low-flow) showerhead, a ten-minute shower will also save energy; up to $145 each year on electricity.

9. Install a Tankless Water Heater
By creating hot water on demand as opposed to continuously heating stored water, homeowners can save hundreds of dollars over time.

10. Wash laundry with Cold Water when Possible
To save water, try to wash full loads or if you must was a partial load, reduce the level of water appropriately.  Switching to cold water can save the average household up to $400 annually.  Washing full loads can save you more than 3,400 gallons of water each year.