Since we are just getting ready to go into the hottest time of the year in North Texas, it is a great time for you to consider ways to save energy and money in your own home. Since working to save energy is a lot cheaper than creating it,  it makes sense to conserve this precious commodity, protect the environment and save money at the same time!

Heating and cooling your home is the most expensive part of your energy bill and with those hot summer days around the corner, get ready for some high utility bills.

There are several areas of the home that you can attack that will help you to reduce the lost of energy and consequently save you big bucks:

1. High quality windows and proper insulation

2. High efficiency appliances for the home

3. Sealing,  caulking your windows and doors properly; foam around electrical outlets, sealing and insulation of your duct work

4. Venting your attic space saves cooling energy

You can also change your light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs, which reduce the amount of energy used while they do provide an equal amount of light.  If you do not have a programmable thermostat, get one, and if you have one use it!  This allows you to reduce the use of energy while you are away and at night. You can install ceiling fans in your room to help cool you off by as much as 4 degrees.  Just remember to switch them off when you are out of the room; ceiling fans cool you and not the room!

Just a few ideas that you can do now that will provide you with savings as we progress into the typically hot North Texas summer days ahead!