David, thanks for the tips. We all need to do our part.

Thanks, Good Post!

Dave, I have to tell you that last year (I've been in my current home since 1993) we decided that our electric bills were just outrageous.  So we were trying to figure out what was the deal?  We asked our neighbors if they had the same electric bill in the Summer as we had.  We found that many of our neighbors electric bill was not as high as ours.  So we looked around and check our attic insulation.  It had settled all these years.  So we hired an insulation person to assess the situation and indeed, it had settled quite a bit.  So we went ahead and had the insulation blown in to the current code requirements. What a difference it made.  I would say that it reduced our electric bill roughly 40.00/mo.  We have roughly a 3100 sq. ft house. It only cost us about $400.00 total to have it blown in and I have to say, it was well worth it.  I heard somewhere that every 10 years you are in a home, you need to add to it.

Some good advise, I like the plant tree idea (shading AC unit). Makes sense in a lot of cases.

Your Friend in Charlottesville Virginia!

David - Nice list.  The programmable thermostat is worth it's weight in gold, we have a 5 day setting that shuts down about an hour before we leave for the office and it kicks on about an hour before we come home.  It maintains a lower temperature while we are gone then ramps up just before we normally come home.  This is one simple purchase that has truly impressed me.

David - I have a feeling that the averge family is spending more than $1,500 on utility bills annually.  I think it is safe to say that most are spending $1,500 a year on gas bills let alone water, sewer or electric.