Energy Savings No-Brainers

Imagine that someone said they would give you $1000 for the next 10 years, just for making some minor adjustments in your house. And on top of that, you would reduce your total CO2 greenhouse gas emissions by 1/3. You would do it, right? Well that's the choice each one of us has today.

Most people don't know how "leaky" their houses really are, and how easy the fixes can be. The average American household spends about $2000 per year in heating, cooling and electricity, and if you have a typical home 50% or more of your bill is going for wasted energy. Money aside, home energy use is one of your biggest impacts on the environment, equaling about 12 tons of CO2 per home each year! So making these changes is a key to both saving a bunch of money, and helping fight global warming.

Rocky Mountain Institute, a leading research and educational organization, explains the many ways that we can save energy in their Cool Citizens Everyday Solutions to Climate Change. The guide contains over 100 ways to reduce your home energy consumption. You can get started with our Top 11 picks of the easiest and most impactful moves to reduce your energy use:

• Stop phantom power loss with power strips. Buy one of EVO's top Power strips picks SAVE 10%

• Lower your thermostat a few degrees, or get a programmable one: SAVE 7%

• Weather-strip doors and windows, and seal major air leaks like chimneys: SAVE 7%

• Replace 2/3 of your light bulbs (26 or so) with Compact Fluorescent or LED light bulbs: SAVE 4%'''

• Buy an ENERGY STAR refrigerator if your current one is older than 10 years: SAVE 5%

• Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible, and air dry in the summertime: SAVE 4%'''

• Add insulation and a radiant barrier to your attic: SAVE 4%

• Get a tune-up for your heater and AC unit: SAVE 4%

• Add plastic window films to your windows in the winter: SAVE 3%

• Insulate your water heater and turn it down to 120: 1%

• Install efficient shower heads - there are tons of great options: 'SAVE 1%

Following all these energy saving no-brainers could literally save you over 50% on your bill!