Even if you are not concerned about the environment, you should be concerned about your home's energy usage if you want to save money on your energy bills. Every home uses similar types of energy for similar reasons but some people have figured out how to use less thus save home energy.

One of the largest consumers of energy in every home is for heating. Here are some simple solutions that will help.

- You should have your furnace checked annually. If it's not maintained properly it's not going to heat your home efficiently. 
- Turn your thermostat down a couple of degrees in the winter months. 
- Don't turn your thermostat up and down depending on how you feel instead keep it at a constant temperature. 
- Instead of turning the heat up when you're cold put on a sweater or extra blanket on your bed.

Some other helps

- Make sure your windows and doors seal properly so you don't have drafts. To easily check for drafts simply hold an incense stick up to where you think a draft might be like around your windows and doors. If the smoke blows sideways, you know you have a draft. 
- Other places to check for drafts are around electrical outlets, beside switch and outlet plates, under baseboards, by attic hatches, and around air conditioners in wall sleeves. 
- Check for gaps around pipes and wires that go through your foundation or outside walls. - Seal all drafts cracks and holes that are creating drafts with caulking, a spay foam or weather stripping.

Saving money on your home heating bill is vital in this day and age and by taking simple steps, we can create a home that uses energy efficiently.

Another large user of energy around your home is your use of electricity.

- The energy you use for lighting alone is about 10 percent of your electric bill. 
- Use the appropriate wattage size of bulbs for each area of your house. Don't use a 100 watt bulb where you only need a 60 or 75 watt bulb. 
- Change all your light bulbs to energy efficient ones. These light bulbs last longer than regular bulbs and they use a lot less electricity therefore lowering bills at the same time giving you the same amount of light. 
- Try opening the curtains or drapes during the day to allow sunlight into a room rather then turning on the lights. 
- Energy efficient light bulbs are also cooler therefore making it possible to use them in more confined spaces. 
- It is also amazing how much electricity you can save by changing the way you use your electronics and appliances. 
- Make sure you turn your electronics off rather than just putting them on standby when you're not using them for several minutes. Also unplug any appliances you are not using as this will prevent any unnecessary use of electricity.

There are many things a homeowner can do to reduce their home's use of energy. Many of them of them are very simple like not leaving your refrigerator door open for very long. Others are more complicated and costly like investing in a furnace that is energy efficient or in a solar system for electricity.

As homeowners we should all be aware of how we use our energy and be willing to make changes where needed to save energy. If we all did our part, we could make a tremendous difference in the world.

Dave McIntosh has been in the renovation business for more than 30 years. He also believes very strongly in going green. With this combination he has developed over the years a huge amount of information about how to save energy and save money on your energy bills.

For more great information on, secrets to save home energy, visit http://manhlinks.com/FreeEnergy.