The typical household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills. With ENERGY STAR, you can save over one-third or about $700 per year.

Quick Facts: U.S. Household Energy Costs

Based on the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook, the Alliance to Save Energy has estimated the following energy costs for the average U.S. household:

• 2010 total average U.S. household expenditures: about $5,020
  Average home energy expenditures: about $2,160
  Average vehicle energy expenditures: about $2,860
• 2009 total average U.S. household expenditures: about $4,650
  Average home energy expenditures: about $2,220
  Average vehicle energy expenditures: about $2,430

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort

Did you know that properly using a programmable thermostat in your home is one of the easiest ways you can save energy, money, and help fight global warming? A programmable thermostat helps make it easy for you to save by offering four pre-programmed settings to regulate your home’s temperature in both summer and winter — when you are asleep or away

Upgrade your homes appliances with Energy Star

• Clothes Washers
• Dehumidifiers
• Dishwashers
• Freezers
• Refrigerators
• Room Air Cleaners & Purifiers
• Water Coolers

Air Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR

“Sealing and insulating the “envelope” or “shell” of your home — its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors — is often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. ENERGY STAR estimates that a knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on their total annual energy bill)  by sealing and insulating.” (Energy Star)

To Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR:

• Seal air leaks throughout the home to stop drafts,
• Add insulation to block heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer,
• Choose ENERGY STAR qualified windows when replacing windows.

Use a thermal leak detector to help find (energy wasting) air leaks in your home. You can check around windows and doors. Find the leaks and seal them up.

A home’s energy efficiency depends on a balance between all of these elements:

• Air sealing
• Insulation
• Moisture control
• Ventilation.

A proper balance between all of these elements will also result in a more comfortable, healthier home environment.

Be sure to install a programmable thermostat in your home.

This one step can save a home owner the costs of the thermostat many times over every year. Save energy by running your heater and air conditioning only when you’re at home. Program your thermostat to different temperatures for sleeping,while your away and weekends too.

If you’re remodeling a home, conduct an energy audit to help you determine what energy efficiency improvements should and can be made to your home.

“A home energy audit is the first step to assess how much energy your home consumes and to evaluate what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. An audit will show you problems that may, when corrected, save you significant amounts of money over time. During the audit, you can pinpoint where your house is losing energy. Audits also determine the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling systems. An audit may also show you ways to conserve hot water and electricity. You can perform a simple energy audit yourself, or have a professional energy auditor carry out a more thorough audit.” (EERE)

If your interested in installing solar power in your home check out this Solar power calculator from The AMERICAN SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY

Plug in a couple lines of info nothing personal and it will give you a basic idea on how large a system you need as well as the costs and some other very useful information.