by Roger D. Bernier

Created on: June 09, 2009   Last Updated: June 18, 2009

During these stressful economic times, it is especially important that individuals and families look for practical ways to save money. You need not look any farther than your own home to begin reaping the rewards of saving. There are many simple and inexpensive things you can do today. Here are 10 ways you can begin to save:

1. Start by replacing traditional light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. According to the Energy Star website, CFL bulbs will save upwards of $30 per bulb over its lifetime versus an ordinary bulb and will pay for itself in 6 months. It uses 75 percent less energy and burns 10 times longer.

2. Make sure your heating and cooling system is operating at peak efficiency by having an inspection a minimum of once a year and a tune-up when needed. Change the air filter regularly (one inch of filter for each month).

3. Check your home for drafts and areas around doors and windows that may need caulking or weather-stripping. According to a recent study at the University of Texas, the leaks in an average home equal a more than two-foot hole in the side of your house!

4. Use programmable thermostats wherever possible and cool your house in zones. According to Energy Star, the average home can save $180 per year by using programmable thermostats and maintaining a constant temperature in each room. In hotter climates upper and lower floors may require more than one HVAC unit for best efficiency.

5. Be sure your home has plenty of soffit vents in the eaves and rooftop ventilation, such as ridge vents in your roof to allow the rising heat to escape.

6. Insulation is crucial to slowing the escape of heat from your home's ceilings and walls, but will only slow down the heat transfer (thus the "R" or "Resistance" value). Make sure you have plenty of insulation in the attic and the walls. If you have an older home, you may decide to opt for the convenience of blown-in insulation. Keep in mind that blown insulation settles over time and your application may need to be repeated at least once in the life of your home.

7. Add a radiant barrier in your attic to block the sun's heat out of your attic during the summer and the heat inside your home during the winter. The best radiant barriers are multi-ply with a thermal break in the center and are resistant to tearing or wear.

8. Do not allow water to run when brushing your teeth, showering, bathing or doing dishes.

9. Unplug appliances that are not in use or use a power strip to "power-down" electronic equipment. Even a toaster that is simply plugged into an outlet is drawing a small amount of power when sitting idle.

10. Consider a professional home energy audit to make certain your home is operating at peak efficiency. Many HVAC companies in your area offer this service or will recommend a reputable contractor to inspect your home.

These ten simple tips are just a few simple tips will get you started on your journey to keep more money in your pocket and conserve our resources. There are many more simple and practical ways that you can begin to save money in your own home.

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