There are many excellent lists of ways to save energy on the internet.  I will certainly do my best to grow this one. Thank you to Nashville Electric Service for the start of this list.

Questions to ask yourself 

Q.  How well is my home insulated?

A.  If you can see your ceiling joists, you need to increase the amount of insulation in your attic.  Attic insulation should have at least an R-30 rating.

Q.  How tight are my windows?  Are they single pane?

A.  Single pane windows should be replaced with double pane, Low E windows with a U value between .30 and .39. Window films are an excellent addition to any glass type for even more energy efficiency.

Q.  How efficient is my central heat & air conditioning unit?

A.  Units that are 10-15 years old aren’t very energy efficient.  In the cooling mode, energy efficiency is based on the unit’s SEER or EER.  Anything greater than 10 is good, 12 is better.  As of January 2006, the minimum requirement is a SEER 13.  In the heating mode, look for the HSPF for heat pumps or COPS for geothermal systems.  The higher the number, the more you will save.

Q.  Am I throwing money out the window?

A.  Complete a Home Energy Audit to find out.

Solar Facts 

 Summer – Heat from the sun through your windows adds to the cooling load of your home.  Install window film and close drapes or blinds in East/West facing windows to block out high heat.

Winter – The sun sits lower in the sky during winter months.  Heat gained through sunlight on South facing windows is an advantage to warming your home.  Windows that don’t receive sunlight will lose heat unless drapes and blinds are closed.

Ways to Save 

Heating and Cooling

• Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer and 68 degrees or lower in the winter.  See how the savings add up on our  Thermostat Chart . (Take a look at this chart! It costs 63% more to cool your house to 72 degrees than 78 degrees!)

• Get your heating and air conditioning unit serviced every year.

• Clean or replace air filters monthly.

• Invest in a programmable thermostat.

• Use a ceiling fan to circulate air down in the summer months.

Appliances

• Take the dollar bill test.  Close your refrigerator door on a dollar bill and then try to pull it out.  If the dollar comes out easily you may need new seals or a new refrigerator.

• Plan what you need inside the refrigerator before you open the door.

• Set your fridge at 40 degrees.

• Let food cool before putting it in the refrigerator.  Hot foods will raise the temperature in the fridge and make it work harder.

• Consider cooking outside on a grill during summer months.  Using an oven makes your home hotter.

• Wash full loads of clothes and use cold water when possible.

• Don’t overload the dryer.

• Clean the dryer lint filter before each load.

• Don’t run the dishwasher unless it’s completely full.

Lighting

• Use energy-efficient fluorescent lights .  They cost more to purchase, but they use only one-quarter as much energy as incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Also, see Jeff's blog about Walmart and Compact Florescent Lights .
  

• Keep light fixtures and bulbs clean.  Dust absorbs 50% of light.

• Turn off any unused lights.

Around the House

• Seal up leaks by weather-stripping doors and caulking windows.

• Close the fireplace damper when you aren’t using it.

• If your water heater is in an unheated space, wrap it in an insulation blanket to prevent it from losing heat.

• Turn the water heater off if you are going to be gone more than three days.

• Use less hot water by installing low flow showerheads.

• Repair leaky faucets.  A drip can waste up to 48 gallons of water in one week.

• Landscaping can provide shade to your home and significantly reduce your cooling costs.