Thermostat Quick Tip

The average home will spend over $1,000 a year on heating and cooling. Programmable thermostats adjust the temperature in winter and in summer as well as during unoccupied hours. At a cost of $50 - $150 the payback can be seen in well under a year.

Window Quick Tips

A considerable amount of heat transfers through windows. If you have single-pane windows, consider doing the following:

• Tighten and weather-strip your old windows and then add storm windows.
• Replace your old single-glazed windows with new double-glazed windows.

Insulation Quick Tip

Attics can be great sources of heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Payback will vary depending on your region, but you'll usually recover the cost within two years.

Light Switch Quick Tips

Take a look at the lights you burn. Consider these points:

• A 100-watt lamp costs roughly a penny an hour to operate.
• When you finish cooking, turn off the kitchen lighting and the range exhaust fan.
• Don't leave unnecessary lighting on during the day.

Unplug Quick Tip

Check around the house to see if devices are unnecessarily plugged in. Cell phones, MP3 player chargers and appliances are still drawing power when not in use. Be aware that plasma TVs and entertainment systems are drawing power even when they are off.

Water Heater Quick Tips

• Try washing clothes with warm water and rising with cold.
• Consider buying a new energy efficient water heater. It's best to start shopping for a new one if your's is more than 7 years old.
• Install a water heater wrap per the manufacturer's instructions.