It’s a New Year and if you’re like many other Americans, you have thought long and hard about your New Year’s resolutions. Many of us vow to live a healthier lifestyle by getting into shape and going on a diet, but have you thought of doing the same for your home?

If 2009 taught us anything, it was to live more economically and that includes saving money where we can, especially when it comes to our home. So why not resolve to not only live a healthier physical lifestyle but a healthier home lifestyle by putting your home on an energy diet?

Here are five top ways to improve your home and start off 2010 on the right foot!

Install a programmable thermostat – you will easily cut energy costs when you install a programmable thermostat. You will have the ability to set a schedule that automatically changes the temperature of your home during different times of the day. The heat will automatically go down when you’re not home or sleeping and rise when you are there. This will result in significant savings, cutting heating and cooling costs by 5 to 20 percent!

Change your windows – Your windows may be costing you money. In the winter they may be allowing cold air from the outside in, increasing your heating bills. In the summer they may be allowing the heat in, increasing your air conditioning costs. If you have older, single paned windows, it would be wise to switch to new energy-efficient ones. Windows with double panes or even triple panes keep out the drafts and save you $25-$50 a month of energy costs.

Seal your windows and doors – If you feel your windows and doors still have a few years left in them, yet allow drafts to come in, consider caulking and sealing all windows and doors where air leaks may be present.

Replace your furnace filters – Replace the furnace air filters every 60 days for a more efficient furnace and to improve you and your family’s air in the home.

A 30 percent tax credit – When you purchase energy efficient products or systems for your home, you can receive a tax credit up to $1500. This tax credit program expires December 31, 2010 so you have a full year to take advantage! Details on qualifying products, including insulation and sealing products, highly efficient furnaces, heat pumps, and windows, are available at www.ase.org/taxcredits.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 at 2:07 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.