Today is earth day and to celebrate may I suggest doing some easy and quick energy saving home improvements.  

1. Exchange your incandescent light bulbs with the energy star compact florescent light bulbs (CFL)  The government is subsidizing the price making them .99
2. Weather strip your drafty doors and windows
3. Change your old thermostat for a new updated energy star thermostat and program it to turn off at night
4. Use cleaning products that are labeled DfE (Designed for the environment) these products help reduce household hazardous waste which are less toxic to our environment
5. Instead of using a fiberglass air filter switch to Electrostatic filters.  They are 97% efficient at filtering all indoor and outdoor pollutants.
6. Place an aerator in your faucet this will save you gallons of water and increase the water pressure.  You will not even notice that you are saving water.
7. Turn off the light when you leave a room
8. Do not leave the water running when you are brushing your teeth or doing dishes
9. Turn off unused equipment like your computers, printer, fax machines, and radios
10. Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 49 degrees
11. Insulate your water pipes to reduce condensation
12. Install a low-flow shower head
13. Landscape with plants that require less care.  This will conserve water and chemical use
14. Purchase solar outdoor lights instead of electric
15. Seal off your unused chimney with Styrofoam
16. Use paints that are labeled VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)
17. If you are thinking about purchasing any new appliances or making any type of improvement on your home purchase ones labeled with the energy star.

 Doing just simple tasks around your home will not only help improve our environment but also save money for you.  Teach your children the simple things like turning off the light and not keeping their electronics plugged in.