The average U.S. family spends close to $1,300 a year on their energy bill. That's according to the Department of Energy (DOE), which warns that a lot of energy is wasted.

Following are tips for cutting energy costs in your home. With changes, you may be able to save a little money, or perhaps even cut your energy costs in half! Best of all, many of the tips in this newsletter won't cost you a penny.

If you have a family, energy conservation can be a great family project, offering a terrific opportunity to teach your kids about budgeting and the wise use of natural resources.  You can even turn it into a contest and try to get your family to cut energy costs by a certain amount over several months.  The savings can go toward a family outing or a purchase. Get creative!

Heating and Cooling Your Home

Heating and cooling systems are some of the most important investments you'll ever make in your home. Whether you're buying a new house, renovating an old one or making an emergency purchase because "old faithful" finally conked out, there's a lot riding on the choices you make: Your comfort and safety are at stake, but so is your wallet.

Americans typically spend about 46 cents of every dollar they pay in utility bills for "space conditioning." You can lower those costs by selecting the most energy-efficient equipment that meets your needs and fits your budget.

The Energy Guide label on home heating and cooling equipment is intended to help you do just that. These labels provide a "snapshot" of the more in-depth energy efficiency and usage information that manufacturers are required to provide with their products -- generally through a fact sheet or industry association directory.

Why should I care about energy efficiency?

The total cost of an appliance has three components -- the purchase price, the cost of repairs and maintenance, and the cost of operating it. The more energy efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run and the lower your utility bills. Using less energy is good for the environment too; it can reduce air pollution and help conserve natural resources.

Is there really that much of a difference among the various models on the market?

All products must meet minimum energy efficiency standards set by the Department of Energy. But many products beat the standard, use even less energy and cost less to run.

What makes one system more efficient than another?

Most of the differences are on the inside -- in the motors, compressors, pumps and valves. So even if two models look the same from the outside, these less-obvious features can mean a big difference in your monthly utility bills.

How can I be sure energy efficiency claims are not just sales hype?

Manufacturers must use standard tests developed by the Department of Energy to prove the efficiency of their products. Many have these tests are performed by independent laboratories. The test results are reported on the Energy Guide labels, and through fact sheets provided by the manufacturers or in industry association directories.

Before You Buy...

1.       Conduct an energy audit. This will help you detect energy waste, gauge the efficiency of your current heating and cooling systems, and determine if conditioned air is being distributed properly. Your utility company may offer free or low-cost energy audits or a do-it-yourself kit. You also can hire a specialist to do a more comprehensive and more expensive energy audit.

2.       Weatherize your home. Check the caulking, weather stripping and insulation, and make any necessary repairs. This may enable you to install a smaller, less expensive heating or cooling system to get the same results.

3.       Compare the performance of different brands and models. Study the product literature. Will the product do the job? How energy efficient is it? What's its repair history? Will it handle your needs today? Ten years from now? Does it fit your budget?

4.       Estimate how much the appliance will cost to operate. The more energy an appliance uses, the more it costs to run. Consult the Energy Guide labels, the manufacturers' fact sheets or the industry association directory to compare the energy efficiency of different models. The difference on your monthly utility bill can be significant, especially when considered over the lifetime of the product. You can save money over the long run by choosing a more energy-efficient model, even if it costs more initially.

5.       Ask about special energy efficiency offers. Ask your local utility or salesperson if there are cash rebates, low-interest loans or other incentive programs in your area for buying energy-efficient products -- and how you can qualify.

How Do You Say "Efficiency"?

Heating and air conditioning systems have a language all their own...

Tips for Lowering Your Monthly Energy Bill

Being an energy-smart consumer means getting the most from the energy you use.

Some other tips that people forget..

Cycle off:  Some electric companies will give you a discount if you allow them to briefly cycle off your heating or air conditioning during peak times of the day.  Other electric companies charge less for electricity used during "off peak" rather than "peak" times. You can time tasks like drying clothes or running the dishwasher for those times.  Ask your energy company for details.

Get sneaky:  Try adjusting your regular home temperature by a degree up or down (depending on the weather) until you get used to the new warmer or cooler air.  Then try another degree the following week, and so on, until you're really uncomfortable.

Come clean:  Regularly clean the air conditioning coils as well as the air filter for your air conditioning and heating units

Go with the flow: Most experts don't recommend just closing off the heating or cooling vents on rooms you don't use to save energy.  Doing so can actually make your system work less efficiently.  If you have areas of the house you don't use, talk with a qualified contractor about "zone" heating or cooling.  Your current system may be able to be modified to allow you to reduce or increase heating and cooling in certain parts of the house.

Make Shade:  Shade can block direct sunlight from sunny windows and significantly cool your home (as much as 20 degrees in summer!) Try planting trees or use window awnings to reduce bright sunlight. Also plant trees or shrubs to shade air-conditioning units (be careful not to block airflow).  You can save 10% of the unit's electricity cost this way!

Install Ceiling Fans: When properly purchased and installed, ceiling fans can make a warm room seem cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.  They are very inexpensive to use.  Make sure you buy the right type and size for your room.  The greater the angle of the blade, the more efficient the fan will be.  Blades at angles of more than 12 degrees are more efficient.  For more information, visit www. Americanlightingassoc.com

Bounce It Back:  A light colored house will reflect heat, while a dark colored one will absorb it.  Because roofs are almost always dark colored (and absorb heat), there are several roof treatments that can be used to reflect heat, including asphalt-based coating that contains glass fibers and aluminum particles, and a radiant barrier of aluminum foil that can be installed on the underside of you roof.  Reflective window coatings can also reduce the amount of heat absorbed into your home.

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT WASHING CLOTHES?

Stay Cool: Wash as much clothing in cold water as possible.  Most clothes don't need to be washed in hot water to get clean

Make it Quick: You probably do not need to run your clothes washer for the full cycle.  A 5-6 minute washing cycle will work fine for most daily loads ( and make for less wear and tear on your clothing) Also, towels used to dry off after a shower probably don't need to be washed more than once a week since you are already clean when you use them.

Stay Clean:  Clean the dryer lint screen every time you use it, also check the hose that connects to the wall periodically to make sure lint hasn't accumulated there. Not only can you save money, but you may prevent a fire as well.

Hang It Up: Install a clothesline to dry (or partially dry) clothing when the weather is nice.  As an added bonus, your clothes will have a fresh smell!

Don't skimp:  When you use the dryer, make sure you have a full load of clothes.  It will actually take clothes longer to dry if you use a small load

Get the Best: When you do buy a new washer, choose an energy efficient front-loading model to conserve water.

How about your dishwasher: Run your dishwasher right before bed and open the door so it will air dry over night.

Refrigerators

Come Clean: Clean the fridge coils periodically (check your owner's manual). Also make sure your refrigerator is defrosting properly or it will take more energy to keep cool.

Fill it up: A full refrigerator and freezer are more energy efficient.  Keep yours full or use gallon jugs of water to take up unused space.

Water Heater

According to the Department of Energy, heating water accounts for 14% of your utility bill. Here are some tips for cutting that expense:

Turn down your water thermostat to 120 degrees

Use an insulation blanket on your water heater

If you use hot water at fairly regular times during the day, install a timer that will allow you to turn it off and on during those times.

For information on ways to cut your energy bill, contact your local power company, and visit the Department of Energy's Home Energy Saver website at www. homeenergysaver.lbl.gov.