I liked this list, because it gives you practical tips for saving energy without having to drastically alter your lifestyle. I hate it when environmentalists get on their high horse and start telling us to ride our bikes to work. Seriously, unless you live less than one mile away from your work, no one wants to come to work drenched in sweat. It’s great to be environmentally conscious around your house, because it saves you MONEY. And Money Crashers is all about helping you save money.

Here are some of my favorite tips from this list:

• Use a programmable thermostat with your air conditioner to adjust the setting at night or when no one is home.
• Upgraded insulation in the attic and double-paned windows all around,
  complete with tinting to reflect sunlight, are good ideas, too.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes
• Avoid landscaping with lots of unshaded rock, cement, or asphalt on the
  south or west sides. It increases the temperature around the house and
  radiates heat to the house after the sun has set.
• Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away
  from the house. Close curtains on south- and west-facing windows during
  the day.

Some of these tips can be a costly out-of-pocket expense, but many of the tips about re-caulking windows and replacing insulation are very cheap ways to keep the cool air in and the hot air out of your home during the summer. I don’t like the fact that our country is moving into an energy crisis, but it’s the world we live in. Next week, I will discuss what I think we must do to reduce the price of gas and home utilities for the short run while we create technology that allows us to be less dependent on foreign oil. Until then, feel free to add any more of your energy saving tips during the hottest months of the year.