7. Buy blackout curtains. Instead of installing windows with
multiple panes, blackout curtains can be bought for under $50 and will reduce heat loss by 25 percent.
9. Upgrade your appliances. Most old appliances aren’t as efficient
as newer ones, so when your old dishwasher, washing machine or other household appliances need replacing, opt for Energy Star-qualified ones. In 2008 Americans saved $19 billion on their energy bills by using Energy Star-qualified appliances. Some new appliances qualify for federal tax credits.
11. Use your landscaping. A shady tree over an outdoor
air-conditioner unit can increase its efficiency by as much as 10 percent. Incorporating shading concepts into your landscape design can help reduce solar heat gain, reducing your cooling costs.
8. Turn off your TV. Better yet, don’t buy a television for every room,
they suck up way too much energy. In fact, sell your extras and get some cashola. It might be a stretch, but maybe you could forego watching TV altogether and, instead, spend family time playing games (uh, not video games) or going on nightly bike rides in the neighborhood.
10. Go Bare (on your floors). Getting rid of old carpet can increase
your in-home air quality, reduce your allergies and increase your home’s value. Many older homes have lovely hardwoods hiding under that dingy carpet, anyway. Expose those wood floors and recycle the carpet after you’ve torn it out.
5. Get caulking. Caulk around your outlets, switches and
windows for a tight seal and install insulating foam gaskets behind your outlets and switches. These gaskets cost less than a dollar.
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