According to the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, the average U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills.  A large portion of that is wasted energy, which means wasted money, and no one likes wasting money, especially during an economic downturn.

By making some minor changes around your house, you’ll be putting some of your hard-earned cash back into your pocket.

Here’s how:

1.       Lighting

• Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and save 75% off lighting costs.
• Unplug electronics, battery chargers and other equipment when not in use. Taken together, these small items can use as much power as your refrigerator.
• 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).
• Be Smart About Lighting – Turn off unnecessary lighting and use task or desktop lamps with CFLs instead of overhead lights.

2.       Electronics

• Power Down Your Computer – Enable “power management” on all computers and make sure to turn them off at night. A laptop computer uses up to 90% less energy than bigger desktop models.

3.    Thermostat

• Adjust your thermostat – Setting your air conditioner 5° higher will save up to 20% on cooling costs.
• Install a programmable thermostat – Install an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat – It can save up to $100 per year in coastal areas and over $150 inland and pays for itself in less than 12 months. Make sure to install it away from natural cool and hot spots.
• Keep cool with ceiling fans – Reduce air conditioning costs by using fans, keeping windows and doors shut and closing shades during the day. Most ceiling fans use less energy than a light bulb.

4.       Energy Efficient Appliances

• Always buy ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and equipment – they’re up to 40% more efficient.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.

5.       Water Usage

• Save Water – Installing faucet aerators and low-flow shower heads will cut water heating costs by 50% and save up to $300 per year. It will also cut water use by up to 50%.
• Adjust Your Water Heater- Turn your water heater down to 120° or the “Normal” setting when home, and to the lowest setting when away. Water heating accounts for about 13% of home energy costs.
• Wash Clothes in Cold Water – When possible, wash clothes in cold water. About 90% of the energy used in a clothes washer goes to water heating.
• Run Full Loads – Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when fully loaded. Fewer loads reduce energy and water use.
• Hot Water – Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F.
• Take short showers instead of baths.

6. Maintain Your Clothes Dryer

• Make sure your dryer’s outside vent is clear and clean the lint filter after every load. When shopping for a new dryer look for one with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off when clothes are dry.

7. Find and Seal Leaks

• Sealing cracks, gaps, leaks and adding insulation can save up to 20% on home heating and cooling costs.
• Test for air leaks by holding a lit incense stick next to windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, attic hatches and other locations where there is a possible air path to the outside. If the smoke stream travels horizontally, you have located an air leak that may need caulking, sealing or weather stripping.

Find & Seal:

• Doors & Windows
• Exterior Penetrations
• Exhaust – Vent Covers
• Gaps around interior vents and recessed lights
• Heat duct penetrations
• Fireplaces & Woodstoves
• Attic & Crawl Space Hatches
• Interior doors to unheated spaces
• Sill Plates & Penetrations

8.  Insulate

• After air sealing, determine the current level of insulation. In the attic, measure the depth of existing insulation using a ruler. If there is less than R-22 (7 inches of fiber glass or rock wool or 6 inches of cellulose) you could probably benefit by adding more. Most U.S. homes should have between R-22 and R-49 insulation in the attic. Insulating ceilings, walls, attics, floors, crawl spaces and basements to recommended standards can reduce heating and cooling costs by 5% to 25%.

Other Good Investment Recommendations

1.  Upgrade Your Heating System

• Replace heating equipment more than 15 years old with new ENERGY STAR qualified models. Equipment must be sized and installed properly.

Old furnaces cost more to operate per year than new, ENERGY STAR qualified models that are 15% more efficient than standard models.

• An ENERGY STAR qualified electric heat pump is 20% more efficient and can save you about $130 annually.

An ENERGY STAR qualified boiler uses features like electric ignition and new combustion technologies that extract more heat from the same amount of fuel, to be 10% more efficient than a new, standard model.

2.  Maintain Your Cooling System

• Have your air conditioning unit serviced to cut 15% of cooling costs.

3.  Windows

• Install high efficiency windows, which are 40% more efficient than standard windows. Consider replacing single-pane windows with double-pane windows that are gas-filled with high performance glass (e.g., low emissivity or “low-e” glass). ENERGY STAR qualified windows may help reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 15%. The windows must be sized and installed properly.