It's that time of year to start thinking about how you can keep utility bills lower. The government has some tips to get your home energy ready.
- Start with your thermostat. The newer ones allow you to program a schedule of temperature settings, according to the hours you're home. Government energy experts say you can save 5 to 15 percent on your bills, just by dialing back that temperature 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours a day.
- Also, conduct a do-it-yourself home energy audit. It's a simple checklist that looks at the energy efficiency of specific aspects of your home. That includes looking for air leaks, checking insulation and making sure light bulbs are not running up your electric bill.
You can find a full checklist and do-it-yourself solutions at energy.gov.
(source: CNN)
