Where to start:
- Steps to take that cost nothing, listed in order of energy (and money) saved, are: Lower your water heater temperature to 120°F, lower your thermostat in winter, wash your clothes in cold water, turn off unneeded lights and electronics, and air dry your clothes in summer.
- Low-cost steps, also listed in order of savings: Install a programmable thermostat, seal large air leaks in your home, insulate your water heater, add insulation in your attic, seal and insulate your HVAC ducts, and install efficient showerheads.
- Additional steps: Conduct a home-energy audit, have your heating system serviced, and open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home and close them at night to reduce chill.
More about: Saving energy at home
The average American household spends about $1,900 annually on energy and also creates more than 26,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Collectively, residential energy use accounts for about 20 percent of the country's greenhouse gas emissions.
A flood of new products, and time-tested techniques, are available to help homes become more energy efficient. Here are tips, reviews, and the latest news.
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Sustainable Christmas tree decorations
Popcorn is an improvement on disposable tinsel, of course. But have you thought of LEDs?
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Obama vows to green the White House
He hopes to show the American people that gaining greater energy efficiency in your home is "not that hard."
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Stop wasting money: video games and energy efficiency
The video game console craze is ramping up our energy use too. Here's what you can do to conserve and still have fun.
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How to enable the power save mode on your computer
Activating the power save function on your computer is an easy way to save energy and money. Here's how.
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LEDs: Where are they now?
Mercury-free, long-lasting LED lights are a ways away from everyday use, but for holiday decorations they're a no-brainer.
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How to save energy around the house
From shutting down the electronics and picking up a book (gasp!) to closing your curtains at the right time, here are 21 simple things you can do to save energy, and cash, in your home.
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The bottom line on CFLs and mercury
How to deal with clean up and disposal of broken compact fluorescent light bulbs, and the tiny amount of mercury they contain.
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What's wasting energy in your home right now
A gentle reminder -- with specifics -- to get up and unplug appliances you're not using.
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Didn't we learn anything from the 1970s energy crisis?
This summer of high gas prices isn't a first -- America experienced a major energy crisis 30 years ago, and we rose to the challenge.
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Keeping cool indoors
If you don't have air conditioning -- or if you want to keep your power bill from going gangbusters -- you still can lower the temperature inside your house or apartment.
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How low can you go?
Saving energy while washing the dishes is as easy as pushing a button.
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Solar water heaters could save $35 bil / year
A recent study shows that low-tech solar heaters save big bucks. So why don't we have more of them in American houses?
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Wash 'n dry
Save energy by washing clothes in cool, so resolve to line dry this summer.
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