Simple Upgrades Lower Home Energy Cost

As the stock market goes down, the need for energy savings goes up.  Consumers are thinking less about spending and more about saving, and they're focusing heavily on home energy costs.  If you think the only way you can realize some efficiency gains is through expensive home improvements, think again.

Energy has been a hot topic in this year's campaign.  While much of the discussion has been focused on finding new sources, neither of the candidates has devoted much time to talking about energy efficiency.  A tremendous amount of savings can be realized through efficiency measures, which will, in turn, lower energy bills.  However, many people don't know where to begin, or are under the misconception that saving energy also involves expensive home improvements.

Lowering home energy costs

You can't blame the typical U.S. consumer for being confused.  After all, this consumption-based society has problems grasping the concept of "saving."  What Americans do understand, however, is simple economics.

With inflation rising, and a financial crisis impeding lending, consumers are looking for ways to lower energy bills.

Energy efficiency is a perfect place to start.  Don't confuse "efficiency" with "conservation," even though you should practice both.  Efficiency doesn't require reducing your energy usage by behavioral change, such as switching off the lights when you're not using them (as unreasonable as that may sound).  Efficiency refers to using less energy to accomplish the same task.

Affordable ways to save

There are a number of affordable energy savings tactics that don't cost much at all:

• Get with the program: For $35 to $50, you can buy a simple programmable thermostat.  It automatically adjusts your furnace temperature when you're not home or sleeping.  Savings can equal 1 percent of heating costs for each degree you lower the temperature per eight hours.  The thermostats are also relatively easy to install.

• Seal the deal: For $10 to $15, you can seal gaps around windows and doors with sealants and insulating foam.  To check for gaps, turn off the furnace, close windows and doors, and run the exhaust fans in your bathrooms.  Then hold an incense stick up to the edges of doors, windows, and chimneys.  If there is a leak, the smoke will be sucked out.

• Go fluorescent: Swap your standard incandescent bulb for a compact fluorescent one.  Fluorescents can last up to 10 times as long as standard light bulbs, and use less energy to power.  The savings can equate to as much as $30 per bulb, which will more than pay for itself in the end.

Home energy costs are rising, but there are economical ways to achieve lower energy bills.  Start small with energy savings techniques.  A little bit here and a little bit there will help a great deal.  Consumers have officially migrated to energy efficiency.  It's one trend that you can't afford to miss.