Crazy huh? While we can't convert all that wasted energy, it doesn't mean that we can't take steps to prevent it from happening by making a few small changes in our own homes. You might be surprised at how easy and inexpensive it can be to make you house more energy efficient. The following is a list of things that you can do:



1. Fix leaks and damaged areas of your home. Especially during the winter, you need to be sure that all areas are sealed to prevent the cold air from coming in. This will help your furnace run more efficiently and it will help keep heating costs down. You can buy sealants at your local hardware store and use it to seal doorframes, windows, and joints. A good strong seal will keep the cold air outside.

Weather-stripping is a good solution to use on areas of your home where sealants would not work. Areas like garage doors, outside doors, operable windows, and attic doors are good candidates. Weather-stripping is a rubber material that is applied on the moving and non-moving parts of the surfaces and creates a terrific barrier. You can even find weather-stripping on the doors of vehicles.

2. Use plastic window coverings Plastic window coverings offer a cheap and easy way to make your home more efficient. This is another tool used to keep cold air out thus reducing the use of your heating system.

3. Get rid of all gaps in doorways Generally, gaps in a doorway happen when the wood of your door contracts due to cold temperatures or if the door was not properly installed in the first place. When you encounter a gap, you should be sure to seal them or get rid of them. Again, preventing cold drafts keeps your heating system from working so hard.

4. Keep the volume down on TVs and Stereos Keep in mind that as your speakers get louder, the more electricity is being used. If you find you are really in the mood for some loud music, try using headphones.

5. Check for cracks in your walls and seal them As well as fixing leaks in your doors, windows, and joints, you should also make sure your walls are free from any cracking. Cracks in walls only tend to get bigger so it's important that you seal the cracks as soon as you encounter them. Again, this is another great way to be sure that you're keeping the cold air out.

6. Use a laptop rather than a desktop computer Regular desktop computers use up ten times more energy than laptops. If you have access to a laptop, go ahead and use it. It's an energy saver. Remember to look for power management when you're purchasing a new printer or fax machine.

7. Use fluorescent lights instead of incandescent bulbs Fluorescent lighting can save you significantly over standard incandescent lighting. Fluorescent bulbs last up to ten times longer so you'll be saving money and having to change the bulbs less often. Why not try to make some or all of these changes? Doing so is good for the environment and you'll start noticing a lower energy bill.