Insulate and Seal Leaks

• Eliminate air leaks and add insulation to your home. In older homes (constructed before 1980), insert new insulation under the roof or the attic floor and in the walls, crawl spaces and basement.
  
  Seal all places where there could be an air leak. Use caulking or weather-stripping around all possible holes, gaps or other openings leading out of the home, such as windows, doors, electrical outlets, plumbing, ductwork, baseboards and ceiling fixtures. Larger holes can be sealed with special gaskets or spray foam insulation.
  
  Replace older windows with newer, more energy-efficient ones or add storm windows. Use a cover on your kitchen exhaust fan and close the flue damper on unused fireplaces.
  
  

Heating and Cooling

• Lower the temperature on your thermostat in the winter and raise it in the summer as much as you can to reduce energy use. Utilize programmable timers on your thermostat to decrease use when you are sleeping or away. Replace furnace air filters on a set schedule as required.
  
  Close curtains during the day in the summer months and open them in the winter on the south-side windows of your home. Remove anything blocking airflow from air vents. Replace old heating and cooling equipment with new Energy Star ones. Check the ductwork of your home for leaks, so you can replace or repair them.
  
  

Lights and Appliances

• Purchase compact fluorescent bulbs for all light fixtures in your home. Replace older light fixtures with new Energy Star ones, and use timers or dimmers when possible. Use of outdoor compact fluorescent bulbs that have motion sensors or automatically shut off during the day.
  
  Replace older appliances in your home (and office) with new Energy Star ones. The more appliances you have that are energy efficient, the more you can save each month on your power bill. Turn off all appliances when not in use, including your computer, television and stereo equipment. Connect several of the appliances to a power strip that can be automatically or manually turned off. Any component plugged into an outlet can draw power even when not being used.
  
  Purchase and use rechargeable batteries in all of your equipment in place of throwaway ones.