Did you know that the typical
U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills? Unfortunately,
a large portion of that energy is wasted. And each year, electricity
generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into
the air than two average cars. And as for the road, transportation accounts
for 67% of all U.S. oil consumption. The good news is that there is a lot
you can do to save energy and money at home and in your car. Start making
small changes today (see below). To cut your energy use up to 25%, see the
Long-Term Savings Tips throughout this booklet.
The key to achieving these
savings in your home or small business is a whole-house energy efficiency
plan. To take a whole-house approach, view your home as an energy system
with interdependent parts. For example, your heating system is not just a
furnace—it's a heat-delivery system that starts at the furnace and delivers
heat throughout your home using a network of ducts. Even a top-of-the-line,
energy-efficient furnace will waste a lot of fuel if the ducts, walls,
attic, windows, and doors are not properly sealed and insulated. Taking a
whole-house approach to saving energy ensures that dollars you invest to
save energy are spent wisely.
Energy-efficient improvements
not only make your home or small business more comfortable, they can yield
long-term financial rewards. Reduced utility bills more than make up for the
higher price of energy-efficient appliances and improvements over their
lifetimes.

·
Install a programmable thermostat to keep your house comfortably
warm in the winter and comfortably cool in the summer.
·
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs with the
ENERGY STAR® label.
·
Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
·
Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
·
Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power
strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs
and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).
·
Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F.
·
Take short showers instead of baths.
·
Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
·
Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration
and braking) wastes gasoline.
·
Look for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and products.
ENERGY STAR products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S.
Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.