We are all trying to save energy in order to reduce our energy costs and preserve our natural resources. These are some energy saving tips to help you.

1. Ceiling fans save money on heating and cooling. There many styles of ceiling fans that will fit any decor. Make sure you have the blades set for the season. There is a switch on the fan to help you do that. Read the directions for the correct settings.

2. Natural lighting saves energy dollars. You can use natural light to provide light in your home. Skylights offer one option and solar tubes offer another. Solar tubes are installed on the roof of your house and the tube runs down into the room you are lighting. The transparent cap on the end of the tube provides the light for that room without using any energy.

3. Make sure your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump is operating at peak efficiency. If you are purchasing any new heating or cooling equipment, be sure it has a high efficiency rating. Keep checking to see that all equipment is functioning properly. Make sure you change the air filters once a month to keep the air flowing without restriction. Also make sure your refrigerator seal is intact and that all your appliances are running at peak efficiency.

4. Replace all your interior light bulbs with the new energy saving bulbs that are available. Turn off all the lights you are not using.

5. Make sure all weather stripping on your doors (and windows if you have it) is in good condition; not torn or worn. Install a threshold on your door to prevent the loss of heat or cooled air. Install weather stripping on a casement window.

6. Upgrade your house insulation to a higher R-value. Insulate your attic and your concrete garage walls. You can hire a contractor to perform this work.

7. Caulk all the doors and windows. No caulk or cracks in the caulk can cause a significant amount of air loss.

8. Seal your house’s foundation. Not only will it prevent air loss, but it will protect you from the insects that come into your house between the house walls and the foundation.

9. Seal baseboards and electrical outlets and switches. These are common sources of air loss from your house. Make sure all your windows are properly sealed to prevent air loss.

10. If you have a pool, be sure the pool pump runs at the optimal time of day. Pool pumps use a lot of energy.