In this era of rising energy prices and global warming, it makes sense that our homes should be as energy efficient as possible. An easy way to do this is to know where your home is likely to lose energy and then take corrective action to minimize the impact.

I have an energy efficiency checklist that I would be happy to share with you free of charge. That way, you’ll be ahead of the game when it comes to energy conservation.

Home Energy Checklist

What You Can Do Today…
– Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120F). You’ll not only save energy, you’ll avoid the risk of accidental scalding.

– Check if your water heater has an insulating blanket. An insulating blanket will pay for itself in one year or less!

– If you own a waterbed, make sure you make your bed today. The covers will insulate it and save up to one-third of the energy it uses.

– Begin using energy-saving settings on your refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer/dryer.

– Make sure you check the age and condition of your major appliances, especially the refrigerator. You may want to replace it with a more energy-efficient model before it expires.

– Examine your incandescent lights for opportunities to replace them with compact fluorescents. These new bulbs can save three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. The best targets are 60- to 100-watt bulbs used several hours a day. Measure the clearance in your fixtures to make sure they will accommodate compact fluorescents, which are slightly larger than incandescent bulbs.

– Clean or replace the filters in your furnace, air-conditioner and heat pump.

…This Week
– Visit the hardware store. Buy a water-heater blanket, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and compact florescent bulbs.

– Rope caulk your leaky windows.

– Assess your heating and cooling systems. Determine if replacements are required, or if there is a way to make them work more efficiently to provide the same comfort (or better!) for less energy.

…This Month
– Look over your electricity and fuel bills. Target the biggest bill for energy conservation remedies.

– Crawl into your attic or crawlspace and inspect for insulation. Is there any? How much?

– Insulate hot water pipes and ducts wherever they run through unheated areas.

– Seal up the most noticeable air leaks in your house – the ones that whistle on windy days or that feel drafty. This includes windows and doors, but also unnoticed culprits like utility cut-throughs for pipes (“plumbing penetrations”), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, as well as unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. All the little, invisible cracks and holes may add up to as much as an open window or door, without you ever realizing it!

– Install a clock thermostat so you are able to set times for your house temperature to be lowered, such as when you are out during the day, and through the night.

– Schedule an energy audit (ask your utility company or local energy office) for more expert advice on your home as a whole.

…This Year
– Insulate. If your walls aren’t insulated, have an insulation contractor blow cellulose into the walls. Bring your attic insulation level up to snuff.

– Replace aging, inefficient appliances. Even if the appliance has a few useful years left, replacing it with a top-efficiency model is generally a good investment.

– Upgrade leaky windows. It may be time to replace them with energy-efficient models or to boost their efficiency with weather stripping and storm windows.

– Reduce your air conditioning costs by planting shade trees and shrubs around your house – especially on the west and south sides. Know that you are making a difference!