17 ways to save on energy

By Bankrate.com

1. Add more energy-efficient insulation to your attic, with the appropriate R-value, or resistance to heat flow, for your climate and the type of heating in your house.

2. Turn down your home thermostat two degrees and save 24 kilowatt hours a month. It might not sound like much, but it adds up.

3. Buy a programmable thermostat, especially if your home is vacant most of the day. Set it to turn on a half hour before anyone arrives home.

4. Adjust your thermostat to a comfortable temperature and wait. Turning your thermostat up or down dramatically wastes energy and increases your heating costs.

5. Lower your hot water thermostat 10 degrees, but no lower than 120 degrees. You'll still get all the hot water you need and save 25 kilowatt hours a month.

6. Fix leaky faucets -- one drip a second is 20 kilowatts a month.

7. Invest in weather-stripping kits if you've got drafty doors.

8. Trade your standard candescent bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs. They are more energy-efficient, last for years instead of months, consume little power and generate little heat.

9. Turn off your computer when not in use, or use the energy-saving "sleep" mode.

10. Seal energy leaks. Caulk over cracks and small holes around windows and exterior walls. Look carefully around plumbing pipes, telephone wires, dryer vents, sink and bathtub drains and under countertops.

11. Participate in your power company's special energy-saving program. Some programs shut down electric appliances for short bursts of time during peak hours. You hardly notice the difference -- except in your bill.

12. Buy major appliances that sport the "Energy Star" sticker. That shows the appliance meets or exceeds standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

13. Consider a front-loading washing machine. They use 50 percent less energy and one-third less water. Plus, they remove far more water in the rinse cycle, and that translates into big savings in dryer time.

14. When building a home or replacing a roof, select a roof based more on energy efficiency than on how it looks. Light-colored roofs, such as white, galvanized metal or cement tile, do the best job of reflecting the sun, and cool quickly at night.

15. Landscaping with the right mix of trees and shrubs can lower your energy bills by blocking winter winds or the summer sun.

16. Get a home energy audit every couple of years with your power company to find ways to cut costs.

17. Check with your utility company for rebates whenever you install energy-saving equipment.