Luxury Housing Trends & Home Improvement Ideas

Looking for ways to save energy in the home this summer? Who isn’t? Here are a few tips to help you on your way to lower energy bills:

1. Take showers instead of baths–even long showers use half the water.

2. Install Energy-Star rated appliances.
3. Check for leaks around doors, windows, and chimneys, then seal them.
4. Plant shade trees around the house (well-placed trees can reduce air conditioning costs by 25%).
5. Only wash full loads of clothes.
6. Install a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature.
7. Install motion detectors, dimmers, and occupancy sensors so light is provided only when it’s needed.
8. Do a “home energy audit” to see if your home is wasting energy it doesn’t need to be (available at http://www.powerhousetv.com)

For more ways to save energy in the home, try reading 10-Minute Energy-Saving Secrets : 250 Ways to Save Big Bucks Year Round