The average American family spends $2,200 a year on energy bills, according to the EPA’s Energy Star program. Nearly half of that goes toward heating and cooling.
Saving energy can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, according to the EPA.
Here are some EPA tips:
- Maintain your heating equipment. Dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating system failure. Check your system’s air filter every month and change it when it’s dirty and at least once every three months.
- Use a programmable thermostat, which can save up to $180 a year.
- Seal air leaks in your home with caulk, spray foam or weather stripping.
- Use Energy Star’s Home Energy Yardstick to compare your home’s energy use to similar homes and see what improvements you could make.
- Look for Energy Star-qualified products. The Energy Star label is on more than 60 kinds of products, ranging from heating and cooling equipment to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).