The key to achieving savings in your home is a whole-house energy efficiency plan.  To take a whole-house approach, view your home as an energy system with interdependent parts.  For example, your heating system is not just a furnance, it's a heat-delivery system that starts at the furnance and delivers heat throughout your home using a network of ducts.  Even a top-of-the line energy-efficient furnance will waste a lot of fuel if the ducts, walls, attic, windows, and doors are not properly sealed and insulated.  Taking a whole-house approach to saving energy ensures that dollars you invest to save energy are spent wisely.  Try these tips:

• Install a programmable thermostat.
• Use compact flourescent light bulbs with the ENERGY STAR label.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
• Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
• Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strip off when the not in use.  This will eliminate "phatom" power usage.
• Lower the thermostate on your hot water heater to 120 F.
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Wash only full loads of disches and clothes.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR lable on home appliances and products.

Energy-efficient improvements not only make your more comfortable, they can yield long-term financial rewards. Reduced utility bills more than make up for the higher price of energy-efficient appliances and improvements over their lifetimes.  In addition, your home could bring in a higher price when and if you sell.