Time to audit your home's energy use

Mention the word "audit" and most people cringe. But there is one type of audit that is easy, costs next to nothing, and can actually help you save money: A home energy audit. An audit will show you where your home may be wasting energy, which is a good idea any time of the year, but especially important during the summer cooling and winter heating months, according to Edison Electric Institute, the national association of electric utility companies.

To get started you need to consider the three areas that affect your home's energy use: the building itself, the appliances, and the occupants.

Begin with the home's thermal...