Knowhow-Now Article

Do Your Own Home Energy Audit To Cut Energy Bills

By Bob Johnson

Bob Johnson

It may sound overly simplistic but one of the best things you can do to cut energy bills is simply to look around your home. Take a pad of paper and a pen and go all around your home to look for 'weak spots' in your energy efficiency.


This is basically all an energy audit is. Yes, you could hire someone to do it for you, but if you want the same results without having to pay someone, you can do most of it yourself.

A lot of problem spots in your home will be easy to spot. Grab a flashlight and your pen and paper and lets go:

  1. The first place to start is in your attic. Look around to see how much insulation you have. If you need more, add more.
  2. Next take a close look at your foundation. Are there big gaps? One of the most common places to lose energy, ironically, is where your utilities such as cable, water, electric, and phone lines come into your home. Make sure the area around these openings is well sealed with caulk.
  3. Go from room to room and make note of any light fixtures that don't have CFL light bulbs. These bulbs don't use as much electricity and they last longer.
  4. As you go from room to room take note of any electronic items you have in those rooms that aren't used on a daily basis. Even if the item is turned off it is still drawing power as long as it's plugged in.

Easy Ways To Cut Energy Bills

I know a lot of us would give ourselves raises if we could. Everything else keeps going up, food costs, gas costs, and utility costs, but our incomes are staying the same. One of the things we can do is to cut energy bills.

green energy is a thing of the present

We may not have much control over what the utility company chooses to do with energy prices, but there are many things we can do to cut our own energy costs.

Many things that can be done are free but can be very profitable for you by cutting your utility bills over a period of years.

  1. The first thing you need to do is to make sure your home has enough insulation. Insulation can be measured in the 'R' factor. If you're not sure what it should be just ask someone at your local hardware store what the proper 'R' value is for your home. If you don't have enough insulation you can save yourself a ton of money by adding more.
  2. Once you're sure your insulation is at the proper level check for other weak spots in your homes energy efficiency. Things like old drafty windows, doors, or gaps around your windows or doors. If you find any cracks or gaps use caulk or expandable foam to fill them in. There are inexpensive window insulating kits you can use to help your old windows become more energy efficient.
  3. Now that you've got your house 'bundled up' it's time to make sure your furnace is running as efficiently as it should. If your filters are old or dirty your furnace won't run as efficiently as it should and it will cost you more money.
  4. Build your own wind turbine to create your own electricity. Out of everything on the list that is the one that can save you the most money. You could build a turbine for a few hundred dollars and you will save about 80% on your utility bills.
  5. If you are in the market for new appliances look for those that have an Energy Star rating. These appliances can save you money throughout their life since they are made to be more energy efficient.
  6. Make sure any unused electronics are unplugged. Even if they are turned off they are still drawing about 90% of the electricity they would be using if they were running. If you don't use them daily, unplug them.
  7. Replacing your light bulbs with CFL bulbs will save you in two ways: CFL bulbs use less electricity when they are on, and they last longer so you don't have to buy light bulbs as often.
  8. When you do laundry try to wash clothes only in cold water. Most clothes will get clean, there are even detergents made specifically for this purpose, and you can save a lot of money since the biggest expense when you wash clothes is the energy you use to heat the water.

Start at home and start today to cut utility bills. The simple changes you make today will pay off for you for many years to come.

You Can Go Green At Home – Simple Steps

Saving money on your utility bills isn't the daunting, overwhelming task many people seem to think it is. You can go green easily, and cheaply, but the savings can be big.

Here are some simple steps you can take to cut your energy bills starting now:

  1. Instead of paying to water your grass use the water Mother Nature provides for free. You can buy rain barrels that can collect the water when it rains. That water can be used to water your lawn and gardens.
  2. Produce your own electricity by making your own wind turbine. You can make one for about $200. It will only take a few hours and all the materials you need can be bought at any hardware store.
  3. After your clothes are clean try to hang them to dry outside. Your dryer is a big energy hog, avoid using it whenever possible.

You can find manuals that will show you how to do it at any bookstore or online.

I hope you follow one, or more, of these ideas on how you can save money on your utilities. It's not hard, some simple daily lifestyle changes can make a big difference on how much you spend every month on your utility bills.


You could build a turbine for a few hundred dollars and you will save about 80% on your utility bills.

start saving in a simple way

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