• Purchase energy efficient appliances
Energy efficient appliances are built to consume less energy and complete the same tasks as other appliances. For example today’s energy efficient refrigerator consumes less than half as much electricity as a 1970s model according to the Edison Electric Institute. For more information visit their website. http://www.eei.org.

Save energy and cash.
The federal government offers tax credits for purchase of energy efficient appliances designated by the Energy Star logo. Visit the Energy Star website to see amount of tax credit available. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=Products.pr_tax_credits#s1

• Weather proof the house
Ensure a weather proof, energy efficient house by caulking and sealing windows and doors. If windows and doors need replacing, consider installing double pane windows and storm doors. Windows and doors are also part of the Energy Star program and eligible for rebate.
Good insulation is a requirement for creating an energy efficient home. The Department of Energy offers a fact sheet on insulation to help determine how much insulation a home needs to be energy efficient. http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_01.html

• Change light bulbs
Replace standard light bulbs with CFLs. CFLs use between 50-75 percent less electricity and last 8 to 10 times longer which makes up for the short term cost difference between CFLs and regular bulbs. CFLs can be recycled and have a warranty. See the Energy Star website to find out where to recycle and what to do if the bulb burns out before the warranty. http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf

• Unplug unused appliances
Several home appliances fall under the description of “energy vampires” meaning these machines continue to use energy even when unplugged. To prevent the energy vampire drain of energy dollars, plug appliances into power cords and flip the cord switch when the machine is not in use. For more information about energy vampires of the appliance kind read this Science Daily article.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/09/020926065912.htm

People can save money, electricity and combat global warming just by making simple changes at home.