Energy audit can help direct you
By now, most consumers know the basics of saving energy at home: install fluorescent light bulbs, buy appliances with the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star label and seal air leaks around doors, windows and pipes (see www.energystar.gov for more tips). But it can be surprisingly easy and affordable to take some extra steps toward a greener home. A few ideas:
Get audited. Visit the nonprofit Residential Energy Services Network's www.resnet.us, which lists certified home-energy raters in each state. A good rater can tell you the most cost-effective ways to reduce energy consumption and recommend contractors who will do the job. (A comprehensive two-hour audit can cost up to $400.) To do it yourself, try this online calculator, developed by several federal agencies: hes.lbl.gov.
Buy green electronics. Ceiling fans help you stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter by circulating heat and air conditioning. Look for an Energy Star fan, such as Hampton Bay's 54-inch Covington ($169; www.homedepot.com). To turn off unnecessary lights, try motion sensors (a Heath/ Zenith covers a 70-foot range and costs $20). Put in dimmers, too. And install programmable thermostats to avoid heating and cooling a house when no one's in it. RiteTemp's model costs $39 and takes less than 30 minutes to install.
Choose ecofriendly countertops. PaperStone makes them out of recycled paper and resin ($95 to $105 per square foot, including installation). A caveat: they're not recommended for anything above 350 F. See paperstoneproducts.com for items made out of old cardboard containers and recycled office waste. IceStone makes countertops out of recycled glass and concrete. The surface is heat- and scratch-resistant and is comparable in strength to granite (starting at $90 per square foot, including installation). For information and a showroom locator, see www,icestone.biz.
Focus on windows. Buy double-or triple-pane models, designated Energy Star with a "low E" (for "emissivity") coating. To find out what to buy for your climate zone, see the window map at energystar.gov and visit efficient windows.org for tips on choosing energy-efficient windows. And consider fabric "honeycomb" shades that insulate well from cold and heat at a good price (about $70 for an average window at www.blinds.com).
Go solar. Use the sun's energy to illuminate your deck or back yard. Hampton Bay's solar lighted umbrella gets its power from sunlight stored during the day. (There's a battery backup for cloudy days.) The cost: $99 at Home Depot stores. The company also makes a $49 six-pack of small solar lights for paths and patios.
Get your money back. The federal government and many states offer tax incentives for greening your home. Browse the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (www.dsireusa.org) to see what your state offers. And see the Alliance to Save Energy's www.ase.org/taxcredits, which lists products (such as windows, insulation, and heating and cooling systems) that can earn you up to $500 in federal tax credits. The two-year program is scheduled to end this Dec. 31 unless Congress extends the benefit. It's a good time to go green -- and get some greenbacks to show for it.