Energy Savings Starts With You.

The following are a few items that one can do to their home to start saving energy. I have broken my list into 2 parts. Part "A" are items that will pay for themselves in 1 to 2 years. Part "B" are items that should be done to set an example for every homeowner. They are more expensive now, but you will be funding sustainability for your children's children. I invite anyone on add any other items that will fall into either category.

"A"

Replace every light bulb you have with cpf's. For $800 to $1200 you can change every bulb in your home. Depending on the number of bulbs you may end up saving 5kw every hour. Payback time should be 2 years, but if everybody did this our need for new power plants would be decreased greatly.

Air Duct Sealing. If you live in an older house consider using http://www.aeroseal.com/ . With most HVAC systems they loose 20%+ of their efficiency due to incorrect sealing. This also creates negative air pressure inside your home, greatly increasing the amount of allergens that enter your home. Cost is approx $1500 per system. But you should repay yourself in 1 to 2 years.

Replace you Toilets with 1.1 gal flush. I am testing GERBER's dual flush system. 1.1 gal pressing the lever down, and 1.6 gal by lifting it up. It has worked perfectly. Cost is approx. $350 per unit. This toilet will pay for itself in 12 months.

"B"

Sign up for MX Energy's Green Gas program. For 1 cent more a therm they will plant enough trees to offset the carbon emissions generated from that therm. http://www.mxenergy.com/residential/earthfriendlylanding_start.html This is a minor cost in helping the environment

Sign up of GA Powers Green Energy Program. Georgia Power uses the premium you pay for electricity to fund green energy production. The cost on this service is 4.5 cents per kw. It will add approx 30% to ones power bill. In my case for approx $2000 per year, I would become a zero carbon emissions user. http://www.georgiapower.com/green/home.asp