Take a walk around your home (apartment, condo, single family) and make note of all the gaps and cracks you find. You can save up to 20% on your cooling bills by repairing those gaps and cracks.

1. First start inside:
   • Turn off the electricity at the circuit bow, then remove the outlet covers to look for gaps.
   • You can either replace them with insulated covers (can cost anywhere from $3 – $4 each) OR use foam insets (gaskets) for around $49 cents each. You can find either type at your local hardware store. FYI… you can also insulate phone-jack covers as well.
2. Check the junctures (layman’s terms: where windows meet walls, walls meet floors and pipe and wires enter the home.)
   • Plug any gaps you see with calk (a box of 12 can cost anywhere from $15 – $20 and a caulking gun can cost you upwards of $40.)
3. Other areas to investigate for cracks and gaps:
   • Fireplace dampers, mail slots, wall-mounted air conditioner, attic doors, baseboards and weather stripping surround doors.

Extra tips:
Look for daylight, feel for drafts and listen for rattles.

1) Try changing the knobs on your cabinets and doors. You’d be surprised on how that can completely change a room. Target and Walmart are good home improvement stores because you can purchase inexpensive home improvement supplies. They both sell cabinet knobs in multi packs in a variety of finishes. From silver to brushed nickel, you can update your kitchen or bathroom for under $20.

2) Light up the room with a new fixture. Contrary to popular belief, light fixtures can be pretty cheap. Remember to buy energy-efficient bulbs if you want to save money on your electricity bill too.

3) When all else fails try paint. Whether it’s 1 wall for as an accent or an entire room, nothing changes a style or mood of a room more than paint. You don’t always have to go for the high-end brands there are plenty of generic brands available from Home Depot to Walmart that won’t put a dent on your wallet.