Home Energy Conservation Checklist
8 Low Cost Energy and Money Saving Tips

1 [ ] Judiciously replace standard incandescent bulbs with compact florescent (CFL) bulbs. Many people don’t care for the color of light cast by these bulbs, but you may want to at least use them in them in rooms where you don’t spend much time in (e.g., the utility room). Note that they are more expensive than standard bulbs and they contain a small amount of mercury so must be disposed of properly. However, they are reported to last much longer, maybe 10 times longer, than incandescent bulbs.

2 [ ] Do a visual inspection of utility room and unfinished basement space. Seal any opening around ducts wires and pipes that penetrate walls, ceilings or floors. Use caulk, expanding foam or other weather stripping as appropriate. Even if the openings are all interior-to-interior, closing these gaps can reduce unwanted drafts and increase your home’s energy efficiently.

3 [ ] Electric wall outlet and switch boxes on outside walls are often the source for cold air to enter your home. Install foam gaskets that can be purchased from home improvement centers. This remedy was been suggested for many years. If you find existing gaskets, check to seek if they have become brittle. Replace if necessary.

4 [ ] Install one or more CO detectors in your home. While technically this step doesn’t save any energy, it can save your life. Locate a CO detector in or near bedrooms -- this is a good location if you have multiple source points of combustion- say a furnace in one area and a gas fireplace in another. If all of your combustible appliances are in one area, then add the CO alarm near them.

5 [ ] When it time to replace a stand-alone lamp, consider purchasing three-way model as they allow selection of the right lighting level to the need.

6 [ ] You may want to replace any incandescent night-lights with 4-watt minifluorescent or electro-luminescent night-lights. Both lights are much more efficient than their incandescent counterparts and have the added benefit of being cool to the touch.

7 [ ] Check your furnace filter once a month. Replace the filter if it at all soiled or collected noticeable dust. Your heating system will consume less energy and last longer with clean filters.

8 [ ] Install indoor or outdoor see-through window kit insulation; Add to your most draft-prone windows and patio doors first. North facing windows are often the one’s buffeted by the strongest winds of the winter.