Here are your top 5Things about your house that consume energy. Your job? Make them run as efficiently as possible and benefit from their output as long as possible…

(numbers based on a study found at www.energystar.gov)

- Heating. Uses as much as 29% of your home’s energy. Keep the heat in your house as long as you can by bringing your insulation up to standards and making sure your doors and windows are air tight. Some of that is DIY work and will benefit you year-round.

- Cooling - heating’s costly cousin. 17% of your home’s energy is used keeping it cool - could be more here in the hot, humid south. Follow the tips for heating, and make sure your equipment is up to date and serviced regularly.

- Water heating. 14% of your home’s bill goes towards heating water. Newer, more efficient water heaters will help, as well as a tankless water heater if your home qualifies for one.

- Appliances. They eat up 13% of your total cost. Be practical when using your appliances, only run washer and dryer with full loads, same for your dish washer. Turn off lights. Power down computers and video games. Any major appliance over 15 years old is not only working on extra credit, but can probably be replaced with a much more efficient unit.

- Lighting. 10% of your energy bill goes toward lighting. You can lower that number by using natural lighting where you can and LED bulbs where you can’t.