What can I do to make my house more energy efficient?

Question

I can't afford to spend much money, so replacing my old windows is out. Labor is ok, but money isn't. I'm already using flourescent lights. What else can I do?

Answer 1

Call PG&E (or your local Utility company) and ask if they can come out and do a house check. They have programs to help home owners become more energy efficient.

Answer 2

Plug electronic devices into power strips with their own on/off buttons.  Kill the power strip when devices are not in use.  Electronic devices such as DVD players, TVs, stereos etc use a ton of electricity when in standby mode (cumulatively, not individually.)

Answer 3

insulate; update heating/air conditioning; then get the tax return for doing so.

Board up your windows. create shade from dirrect sun light.

make a wind mill from junk yard car parts.

Answer 4

make sure that you clean your furnace filters, and get a programmable thermostat. keep the temperature down when no one is home and during the night.

Answer 5

Make a solar cooker yourself and use it for cooking

Answer 6

check your windows for air leaks and seal with foam seal strips.

tape clear plastic over the inside the windows in the winter.

wrap insulation around the upper 2/3 of your water heater.being carefull around the burner area if it is a gas fired water heater