Hands down, the easiest and quickest way to go green and save money at the same time is to test your home for energy efficiency.

An energy efficient home will use less power, saving you money while at the same time helping the environment. There are a few simple things that you can do right after reading this article that can make your home energy efficient.

You can begin by checking your home for air leaks. The drafts that come in from these leaks can suck out your warm air in the winter and your cool air in the summer.  By reducing the drafts in your home you can actually save up to 30% on your energy bill every year which can accumulate to some serious savings over time.  Your home will also be a cleaner, drier environment lessening the likelihood of illnesses due to damp, moldy conditions.  Another advantage of eliminating drafts is that your home will be more comfortable temperature wise reducing the need for artificial heating or cooling to reach optimum conditions.

To check for drafts, check for the air flow in several areas of your home, including the following:

Windows/window frames
Door frames
Baseboards
Fireplaces
Attic hatches/doors
Window air conditioning units
Electrical outlets
Light switch plates
Mail slots

If you can rattle your windows or if you see a halo of light around your windows and doors then the window or door doesn’t seal as well as it should.  This means that you are losing hot or cool air which in turn means that your heater or air conditioner has to work even harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature costing you more money.  You can easily remedy this by either replacing the window or door or you can install better weather stripping.

Another way of testing your home’s energy efficiency is to measure how much insulation you have in your attic.  If it’s less than the recommended amount, then your home is losing heat out of the roof.  By installing more insulation your home will hold in heat more effectively and is a great solution for making your home more efficient, energy wise without spending more on your power usage.

You may wish to check your hot water heater as well, adding an insulation blanket acts as a thermos and traps the heat in the cylinder where it belongs rather than escaping to its surroundings.

You should also check the age of your appliances.  Many older appliances are not as energy-efficient as the newer ones.   You can recognize the newer, more energy efficient appliances as they feature the EnergyStar logo.  If your budget allows for it, you may want to replace your appliances that are 15 years and older, doing so can add up to major savings over the years with reduced power bills.

Don’t forget the basics of checking your light bulbs to see if you’re using the appropriate wattage in each appliance.  If you’re using a 100-watt bulb in a lamp that only needs a 65 or 70-watt one, you may be using more energy than you need to.  Swapping out traditional bulbs for compact florescent bulbs can also reduce your power usage.

Being energy efficient can add up to some serious savings over time and don’t require a lot of effort.  Don’t be fooled into thinking that going green is difficult or a huge sacrifice, performing checks as simple as these is all it takes.