Save Energy. Save Money

As we quickly approach the end of 2009, why not get a jump start on your New Year's resolution to be more environmentally friendly? During these harsh economic times it may not always be easy, but thanks to this excellent info featured in a Home Depot advertisement, here is one way to help you save energy AND money at the same time!



1. SWITCH TO CFL LIGHT BULBS

Switching all your incandescent bulbs to CFLs wil result in a 75% - 80% savings in your lighting energy costs.

2. INSTALL TIMERS, INSIDE AND OUT

Timers are one of the easiest ways to cut down on outdoor lighting costs. By programming your timer to run lights for only a few hours nightly you are able to easily reduce your energy bills and increase efficiency.

3. CHANGE YOUR FURNACE FILTER

Change your furnace filter every 3 months to improve the air quality of your home and improve the efficiency of your furnace.

4. INSTALL WEATHER STRIPPING

Air leakage accounts for 30% to 40% of total heat loss. Sealing up those little spaces where cold air creeps in and warm air slips out with caulking and weather stripping can save up to 20% on your heating and cooling bills.

5. INSTALL LIGHT DIMMERS

Dimmers are a great lighting control that will reduce the wattage output of your lights. This will increase the energy-efficiency of your home and will save you money.

6. INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT

The average household can save about $180 a year by properly setting your programmable thermostat and maintaining those settings.

7. INSTALL A CELING FAN

Energy Star ceiling fans with lights are about 50% more efficient than conventional fan/light units. Installing an Energy Star ceiling fan with a light can save you more than $15 per year on your utility bills.

8. CHOOSE ENERGY STAR MAJOR APPLIANCES

Choose Energy Star qualified major appliances and save up to $80 a year in energy costs.

9. REPLACE YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS

About 30% of a home's heat loss occurs through the windows and doors. Installing Energy Star qualified windows and doors will reduce the energy required to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

10. PROPERLY INSULATE YOUR HOME

Installing insulation with a higher R value can reduce energy use for space heating by up to 15% and will cut energy costs by as much as 50% to 80%, quickly offsetting the cost of installation.


For more energy saving projects visit homedepot.ca/saveenergysavemoney