Make Your Home Energy Efficient: Inexpensive DIY tips

In these days of sky-rocketing energy costs, saving money with efficient home energy is becoming a necessity. Contrary to popular opinion, going green will save a large amount of money in the long run. There are many simple, DIY steps to help improve your home’s energy efficiency – which will be beneficial to Mother Nature as well as your pocketbook.

Heating is a major portion of your annual energy usage. In order for a furnace to operate at it's maximum efficiency it must be maintained. Maintenance procedures will differ from furnace to furnace, so check the furnace manual for proper way to maintain your furnace. It is very important that you clean furnace filters and ensure that registers are clean and unblocked by furniture. If you have an old, outdated furnace, your home improvement center can recommend a unit with higher energy efficiency. Look for the Energy Star label and for models with high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. Also check your home improvement center for a programmable thermostat: DIY installation is fairly easy. For higher energy efficiency, program the thermostat for lower temperatures when your family is asleep or away from the home.

Other easy and inexpensive ways to improve energy efficiency are to replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (which use a fraction of the energy, and last far longer), install timers on bathroom exhaust fans, use motion-sensors on exterior lights and to choose Energy Star appliances when replacing old units. Insulated drapes keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. In the winter, open south-facing drapes and close those facing north during the day for free, green, solar heating. In the summer, do the opposite to keep your home cooler.

If your home is older, you may have to caulk or weatherstrip areas where heat can be lost, including walls, ceilings, windows, doors, plumbing fixtures and electrical fixtures. Lastly, if you can improve your home’s insulation, that is a great way to improve energy efficiency. DIY home improvement does not need to be difficult or expensive. If you follow these simple tips your home will conserve resources and save you money.