That new range doesn’t work? Repairs should be performed only by a certified, licensed electrician. Leave it to the experts - not only for the sake of safety - doing the work yourself could nullify your warranty.

Recycle electronics. Throwing away your old computer or printer in the trash means it will sit in a landfill. Forever.  Instead, donate or recycle. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that recycling 1 million laptops saves enough energy to power 3,500 homes for a year!

Warning: If you simply must attempt to do-it-yourself, NEVER attempt to work on anything electrical when it’s connected to power. It’s safer and more cost-effective in the long run to call a certified, licensed electrician.

Conserve power and water by running the dishwasher and washing machine only when they are full.

Here’s a project for do-it-yourselfers that’s safe and easy: Locate smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each bedroom, and on each level of the house. They, too, should be tested monthly and the batteries replaced annually.

Electronics that are plugged in will still draw current even after you’ve turned them off. This is called “Phantom Power.” Invest in an electric strip to easily turn off power to these items when not in use.

Each month, test ground fault circuit interrupters, also known in the industry as GFCIs. They’re typically installed where water and electricity are close: kitchens, bathrooms, garages, or basements. The GFIC has a TEST button; press it to break the circuit. Press the RESET button to restore it. If pressing the TEST button doesn’t work, the outlet is defective and should be replaced.

An Energy Star-rated LED light bulb uses about 75% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and can last about 35 times longer.

If you have hard water, the minerals in that water can cause problems for your water heater. Scale, mostly calcium and magnesium, is a buildup of minerals inside the tank. This buildup can greatly reduce the life of the unit and cause it to operate longer than necessary. The electric bill increases as a result. Preventing scale buildup can keep your heater operating well for many years. An annual tank flushing is suggested to remove accumulated mineral deposits. Check your owner’s manual for information.

Single pane glass windows are virtually thermal holes in your walls. Having R-Values of roughly 1, they allow nineteen times more heat to escape than an R-13 wall surrounding them. If you have lots of windows, insulating them could be one of your best energy improvements.

Change HVAC filters each month when you receive your electric bill.

To properly protect your sensitive electronic equipment, you must construct a barrier around it, much like you would put a fence around your home. Since you usually can't prevent the things like lightning that damage your home electronics, you must keep these conditions from getting to your important equipment. Every piece of electrical equipment in your home needs a barrier.

Change heating and cooling filters monthly. Dirty filters make the HVAC unit work harder. Clean filters reduce the added energy load on the system. Change HVAC filters when you receive your electric bill each month.

Lighting accounts for 6% of the total energy use in the average home in the United States and costs between $50 and $150 per year in electricity. Although that is not much money compared to the cost of operating heating and cooling equipment, it is enough to justify making some efficiency modifications. Also, because it is such a visible energy user, it's a good place to start teaching kids to be mindful of wasting energy.

Clothes dryer vent hoses accumulate lint. Over time, a substantial buildup occurs, creating a fire hazard. Make sure the vent hose is clean and clear.

It’s easy to determine where your home may need insulation on a cold, Upper Cumberland night. Walk through your home and pay close attention to the various comfort levels. For instance - is it cooler in the laundry/mud room where the back door is located - as compared to a kitchen or bedroom in the middle of the house? A good rule of thumb is that all heated areas should be separated from un-heated areas with plenty of insulation. Regardless of your home's layout, you can use this rule to determine where insulation should be installed.

Dirt on refrigerator coils reduces efficiency and creates a fire hazard. Check the owner’s manual for information on cleaning your refrigerator.

How do I reduce my cooling costs in the summer?

The best way to reduce the need for cooling during the hot summer months is by keeping the sun out of your home. Begin as far away from the house as possible with shade trees, trellises covered with vines, or awnings. Pay particular attention to east and west facing windows.

If all households in the U.S. swapped one incandescent bulb for an LED bulb, it could save enough energy to light about 2 million homes for a year.

The most rigorous way to locate duct leaks is with a blower door or similar analysis performed by a professional. This analysis measures the magnitude of your duct leakage and identifies its location. Some companies offer ductwork sealing services with a follow-up blower door check to ensure duct leakage has been reduced to acceptable levels.