Small Home Improvements (Do-It-Yourself Projects) 

• Lighting: turn off lights in rooms you are not using and switch all light bulbs to compact fluorescent lighting;
• Programmable Thermostat: install a programmable thermostat to control when your heating or cooling system is turned on;
• Heating & Cooling: make sure you are operating your heating and cooling systems correctly;
• Weatherization: check for interior and exterior air leaks and gaps in windows baseboards, doors, attic hatch, mounted air conditioners, siding and foundation and seal with caulking or weather stripping;
• Attic Vents: clear vents of any obstructions to allow air circulation
• Electronics & Power Strips: buy power strips and plug all of your home office and other electronics into the strip so that when you turn the power strip off, it completely shuts off all power use to your devices;
• Appliances: upgrade your kitchen and home appliances to energy efficient models;
• Home office equipment: upgrade your home office equipment to energy efficient models.

Larger Home Improvement Projects (Professional improvements)

• Central Heating & Cooling: upgrade your central heating and cooling systems to energy efficient models;
• Insulation: make sure that your home has sufficient and proper insulation and if not, upgrade insulation;
• Roof: inspect your roof to determine if it needs replacing and upgrade to an energy efficient roof;
• Windows: if you have single pane or old windows, consider upgrading to special energy efficient models to help moderate the room temperature and reduce the burden on your heating and cooling system.
  

Generate Your Own Power at Home (Professional Installation)

• Solar energy: consider installing a home solar system to generate power or heat water to drastically cut your energy use from the grid;
• Wind power: if you live in a relatively open area with consistent winds, consider installing a wind turbine to reduce the amount of power you use from your utility grid;
• Fuel Cells:  If your home has very large power requirements, natural gas fuel cell systems are an incredibly efficient way to generate power and/or heat on-site at a fraction of the cost of power from utility companies.