10 ways to cut home energy costs

Like most people, we wanted to help save the planet. But we also wanted to save money and cut energy costs on our 40-year-old house in Sandy Springs.

We have lived in the two-story house with a finished basement for 16 years, but only in the past few years have we begun to take a more serious look at how to make our four-bedroom house more energy efficient.

In 2005, we added loose, blown-in cellulose insulation in the attic and foam board insulation to the attic access doors and hatch. During the next two years, we replaced our 1992 refrigerator, washer and dryer with more efficient Energy Star models.

We regularly replace the air filter every 60 to 90 days on our aging heat and air-conditioning system, which is serviced yearly to keep it running properly. But we knew we could do more.

For help, we called Georgia Power for a free in-home energy audit. Apparently, we aren’t the only Georgians looking for ways to boost our energy savings.

Last year, Georgia Power conducted 4,000 energy audits in homes across Georgia — mostly in the Atlanta metro area. Another 1,700 people took the online energy audit. Audits are running about the same this year.

After a two-hour top-to-bottom walk-through of the house in July, our energy pro gave us a personalized list of energy-saving measures, which included tips on using the bedroom ceiling fans, shutters and fireplace. He also gave us an idea of the costs of products and upgrades, plus the potential savings from several of them.

We discovered that it is often the little things that make a big difference. Here are 10 simple no- or low-cost, do-it-yourself tips suggested in our energy audit:

1. HIT THE LIGHTS

Tip: Continue to replace incandescent light bulbs in lamps and recessed lights with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which use up to 75 percent less energy.

What it costs: $2 to $15 per bulb. Watch for sales or buy in bulk at Costco or Sam’s.

Why do it: CFLs last 10 times longer than regular bulbs and use up to 75 percent less energy.

2. IN HOT WATER

Tip: Lower the temperature on our four-year-old gas water heater from 135 to 120 degrees, which is adequate for homes with newer dishwashers.

What it costs: Zero.

Why do it: Save up to 5 percent on our energy bill.

3. UNPLUGGED

Tip: Unplug any appliances and electronic gadgets that do not need to be plugged in all day. Power continues to run through home electronics like the coffee maker and iPod speakers, while they are plugged in — even if they’re turned off.

For example, unplug your cellphone charger, which costs about five cents an hour, after you charge your phone.

For often-used devices such as the TV, DVR and cable, or the computer and printer, use an energy-saving power strip that has its own power switch.

What it costs: zero; power strips (which we have), $35-$40

Why do it: Phantom or idle current can account for up to 2 percent of energy bills.

4. WINDOW SHOPPING

Tip: Install storm windows to increase the efficiency of the single-pane windows. Luckily, we have the storm windows in the basement. I had the windows removed when we bought the house because I did not like the way they looked.

What it costs: Zero, if we install storm windows we own.

Replacing our 20 single-pane windows with energy-savings double-pane windows would cost about $300 to $400 per window, not including installation.

Why do it: Storm windows would reduce air leaks and energy loss.

5. DRAFT DODGERS

Tip: Weather strip around several doors, including front, back and kitchen doors, which have irregular gaps.

Tip 2: Caulk top corners of all double-hung windows.

Tip: 3: Add door sweeps on bottom of two doors.

Tip 4: Seal gaps around plumbing fixtures under kitchen sink with expanding foam.

What it costs: $3 for one 17-foot roll of cut, peel and stick weather seal tape;

$15 for two door sweeps; $2 tube of silicone caulk; $5 caulk gun; and $5 for can of Great Stuff, an expanding insulating foam sealant.

Why do it: Stop air leaks around windows, doors and plumbing.

6. GET WITH THE PROGRAM

Tip: Set the thermostat at 78 degrees during the summer and 68 degrees during the winter — and leave it there. While we often adjust our programmable thermostat by two or three degrees in the summer and winter to be more comfortable, we learned that each degree increase — or decrease — will raise the cost of our heating and cooling cost by 2 to 5 percent.

What it costs: Zero. New programmable thermostats cost $20-$80 and allow you to adjust temperatures when you are away from home.

Why do it: When used properly, a programmable thermostat can save around 10 percent a year on energy bills.

7. UNDER COVER

Tip: Add foam covers behind electrical outlets and light switches that face outside walls.

What it costs: $2.17 for a package of 14 foam sealers.

Why do it: Seal air leaks around outlets and switches.

8. IT’S NOT THE HEAT, IT’S THE …

Tip: Replace our 12-year-old, energy-sucking portable dehumidifier in the basement with an Energy Star model.

What it costs: $129 (reduced from $179).

Why do it: A dehumidifier can consume more than $150 a year in energy, according to Consumer Reports. Ours was consuming more than $30 a month. When it’s time to replace any appliance, look for Energy Star models, which are 10 to 40 percent more efficient than older models.

9. NOT SO FAN-TASTIC

Tip: Seal whole house fan with insulated foam board around house fan — or remove it and patch ceiling. We have never used the fan, but we are not sure we want to remove it.

What it costs: $8 for foam board.

Why do it: Reduce air leaks through the fan vents.

10. THE BRUSH CUT

Tip: Prune overgrown shrubs crowding outside air-conditioning unit.

What it costs: Zero — and sweat.

Why do it: Air needs to circulate around the unit for it to operate efficiently. Keep plants and bushes 1 to 3 feet away from units.

WHERE THE MONEY GOES

• Heating and cooling: 45 to 52 percent

• Water heater: 19 percent

• Lighting: 9 percent

• Other: 20 percent

Source: Georgia Power and U.S. Department of Energy

CHECK YOUR ENERGY EFFICIENCY

• To schedule an in-home energy audit, contact Georgia Power at 1-800-524-2421 and press 2 or www.georgiapower.com/residential/energy.asp

• Do an online energy audit or calculate your energy costs, check: www.georgiapower.com

• Home Energy Saver (lbl.gov). I went online and plugged in my ZIP code. I learned the average house in Sandy Springs spends $1,499 a year on energy; a more energy-efficient house spends $1,003. The national average is about $1,300 a year.

• For more energy-savings tips, visit: www.energystar.gov or www.eere.energy.gov.