Check out our helpful tips to make your house go green and save on energy around the home.

• Perform an energy efficiency audit – A great way for homeowners to figure out what parts of their property need attention is to perform an energy audit. An energy professional will inspect your home and in most cases it is free.
• Make sure your home is properly sealed – Use caulking, spray foam or weather-stripping to plug up leaks that will allow hot or cold air to come into your home.
• Add insulation to your home – Start with an easily accessible part of the home, such as the attic, and add more. Usually over a period of years insulation will reduce down to 3 to 4 inches, automatically making your home less energy efficient. Most cases you are supposed to have about 10 inches of insulation.
• Add a programmable thermostat – You can pick up a programmable thermostat for less than $30. Use a programmable thermostat to set back the temperature significantly when you are not in the home or you are asleep.
• Replace older windows – Use energy efficient windows to help keep heat and cold out of your home. Did you also know that qualified energy efficient windows are eligible for a federal tax credit?
• Replace your older HVAC system with an energy efficient one – This project can definitely be a costly one so only replace the system if it is your last resort. Check first to make sure your home is properly sealed and not leaking.
• Use an energy efficient water heater – These will drive down the energy costs and they keep water hot for longer than traditional water heaters.

The Lawhead Team would like to share some tips to reducing your Air Conditioning electric bills this summer. Beat the heat with these tips:

• Replace HVAC air filters often to ensure you are getting the maximum use out of your air conditioner. Normal dust build-up can reduce air flow by 1 percent per week, boosting up your electric bills monthly!
• Make sure to turn off your AC if you leave your house for more than an hour to save on electric bills.
• Reduce your cooling load. Provide effective shade for your east and west windows and if possible, delay heat generated activities such as dish washing until the evening.
• Keep your home closed up tight during the day. Don’t let unwanted heat and humidity in by leaving windows or doors cracked open. At night when the air is cooler, ventilate your house by leaving the windows open and propping a fan up in the window. If you have ceiling fans, use them to provide air flow as well. This will be less than having to turn on your air conditioner, thus saving in electric bills.
• Plant shade trees around your home. However, if you want to benefit from passive solar heat in the winter, don’t plant trees on the south side of your home.
• If you have to buy a new air conditioner, be sure to purchase energy efficient one that is properly sized to still stay low on  your electric bills. You can get assistance from an energy auditor or your air conditioning contractor.
• Set your thermostat to 78 degrees F or higher if using ceiling fans. Also make sure not to air condition unused rooms which will waste money on your electric bills.

The Lawhead Team came across some helpful tips on home improvement from US Bank.

When looking to make home improvement projects to your home, knowing what projects will be the most cost-effective and valuable will help benefit you in the long run if you decide to sell.

Update your home and take away that dated look. The renovation of dark or dated kitchens is one of the most profitable home improvement projects you can make.

Refinance your mortgage and take advantage of the low rates. If interest rates are lower now than when you closed on your current mortgage, you may be able to save money by refinancing.

Updating your bathroom is a great home improvement project that is both profitable and easy. Another great idea is to add a second bath as this is a significantly profitable home improvement.

If you are planning on making the following home improvement projects, see how long they last:

• new chimney: 100 years or more
• asphalt shingles: 15 to 30 years
• a wooden deck: 15 years
• ceramic tile or terrazzo: 100 years or more
• vinyl flooring: 20 to 30 years
• oak or pine floors: 100 years

If you have to buy new appliances, see how long they generally last:

• refrigerators: up to 20 years
• microwave: 10 years or more
• stove: 15 years or more
• washer and dryer: about 13 years

Spending a little extra on something such as an energy efficient refrigerator, will end up saving you money over time with the lower electricity bills.

What types of home improvement projects have you made on your home? Please comment on our blog and let us know!