No-Cost Ways to Save Money and Energy

• About 16% of an average home energy bill goes just for heating water. Use cold water when washing clothes.
• Take a five-minute shower instead of a bath to reduce hot water use.
• Do only full loads when you use the clothes washer or dishwasher to avoid wasting hot water.
• Check the temperature on your water heater. It should be set at "warm," or a thermometer held under running water should read no more than 120 degrees. If it's higher, lower the temperature on your water heater thermostat.
• If you have a warm air heating system, check the furnace filter each month, and clean or replace it as needed. Dirty filters block air flow through your heating equipment, increasing your energy bill and shortening the equipment's life.
• Set your heating thermostat to 55° degrees or lower while you're away and also at bedtime.
• Close the fireplace damper when not in use. Consider installing glass doors on the fireplace.
• When cooking, keep the lids on pots. Better yet, use a microwave oven instead of a conventional range or oven.

Low-Cost Energy Saving Solutions

• Install energy-saving, low-flow showerheads and sink aerators to reduce hot water use.
• Seal up your windows and doors with caulking and weatherstripping to ensure that you're not wasting energy on heat that escapes through leaks to the outdoors.
• Install an ENERGY STAR® programmable thermostat and save about $100 each year; it adjusts the temperature automatically for you.
• Install foam gaskets behind electric-outlet and switch-plate covers.
• Duct tape works well on lots of things, but it often fails when used on ductwork! Use mastic (a gooey substance applied with a paintbrush) to seal all exposed ductwork joints in areas such as the attic, crawlspace, or basement. Insulate ducts to improve your heating system's efficiency and your own comfort.
• In the winter, storm windows can reduce your heat loss by 25% - 50%. As an alternative, you can improve your windows temporarily with inexpensive plastic sheeting installed on the inside.

Weatherize

• Warm air leaking out of your home during the winter wastes money. A handy homeowner can seal up holes to the outside, weather-strip doors, caulk windows, and often even insulate attic floors, basements, and crawl space walls. It's important to weatherize before adding insulation.

Insulate

Insulation can reduce your heating needs by up to 30%

• The easiest and most cost-effective way to insulate your home is to add insulation in the attic. If you have less than R-22 (6 or 7 inches), you could probably benefit by adding more. Most U.S. homes should have between R-38 and R-49 attic insulation.
• Insulating your walls will improve the comfort of your home and reduce your energy bills dramatically. Remember to insulate the walls or ceiling of your crawl space and/or basement.

Improve Your Heating System

Up to half of your energy bill goes just for heating

• Turn your heat down every night and whenever you leave home. Better yet - install an ENERGY STAR® programmable thermostat and save about $100 each year; it adjusts the temperature automatically for you.
• Replace your hot water tank with the most efficient one possible. Consider an indirect water heater (a super-insulated storage tank connected to a boiler) or a tankless, on-demand system (these won't work for everyone, so talk to your installer).
• Replace your boiler or warm air furnace with the highest efficiency model possible. Changing out heating equipment with ENERGY STAR® qualified models can cut your annual energy costs by 20 percent.

Improve Your Windows

• If your home has only single pane windows, consider replacing them with ENERGY STAR® windows.
• Alternatively, storm windows can reduce your winter heat loss by 25 - 50%.
• Check for drafts coming from doors and windows, then caulk and weather-strip them as necessary

Sources: Dept. of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and Alliance to Save Energy

Helpful Energy Efficiency Links

• MassSave
  This site provides current information on all Massachusetts ' gas and electric utility energy efficiency programs and rebates.
• GasNetworks
  This site provides current information on all natural gas energy efficiency rebate programs in our area. GasNetworks is a collaborative of New England natural gas companies. Berkshire Gas is a founding member of GasNetworks.
• Energy Star
• Alliance to Save Energy
• National Energy Foundation
• United States Department of Energy
• Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
  

Online Home Audit Tools

• LBNL's "Home Energy Saver"
• EPA's "Home Improvement Toolbox"
• ASE's "Home Energy Checkup"