Insulation is usually associated with keeping something warm, like a cup of coffee, a soup thermos, or a log cabin in the snowy mountains. But what about the cooler you bring with you to the beach every summer? Its insulated layer keeps your food and drinks cold and sand-free. Insulating your home can do the same thing - it keeps your...

These days, buying a new appliance involves much more than simply replacing an old or broken appliance. The current energy-efficient climate in the country has spawned a host of new features and incentives in the form of Energy Star rebates. Many people overlook these benefits when making a purchase, but you don't have to. There are some ...

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a programmable thermostat can save you approximately $180 per year in heating and cooling costs for the average American single-family home. It does this by raising or lowering the temperature automatically at different times of the day to keep you cool while you're active at home and to save yo...

By now, you've probably heard or read about how much money and energy you can save by switching from traditional incandescent light bulbs to newer compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. If you have yet to make the switch, you're probably wondering, "Is there really that much of a  difference? How much money can I actually save?" To answe...

People who are in the market for a home air-conditioning unit may believe that the size of the unit does not matter and end up getting the wrong size for their room. However, buying a unit that is too large or too small for a room often causes problems such as dampness or excessive wear on the unit. When you are looking for an air-conditi...

You might think that running an energy efficient home is an impossible challenge. That does not have to be the case when you follow these suggestions. Ensure that your air conditioning system is properly maintained. Simple actions such as cleaning or replacing your air filters frequently can help your system operate more efficiently...

  Knowledge is power – and until recently it has been very difficult for residential electricity users to find out what their power usage really looks like. Oh sure, the electric company puts neat little graphics on your bill and shows you your total use, but can’t provide you with detailed information. They know you used the ...

No matter the season, your home is an energy-consuming machine. Some homes are a lot more efficient than others – in general, the newer your home, the less wasted energy it uses – but every home is literally loaded with places where you can cut your bills with simple modifications or painless lifestyle adjustments. Energy use makes fo...

The two biggest home energy expenses for most Americans are heating the house in the winter, and cooling it down in the summer. Of the two, cooling costs are harder on consumers because while you can burn cheap natural gas or wear a sweater in the winter, in the summertime there is usually only one practical option: air conditioning, runn...