Five Energy-Savers for $15 or Less

February 2010 – So you don't know how to install insulation and you're not such a good shot when it comes to the caulking gun. Not to worry – here are five easy-to-install products that will cost you less than $15 while keeping your energy bills low and your house cozy.

Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs – $3 to $15+, depending on wattage, shade, etc.

The perennial favorite among energy efficiency advocates, compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) use considerably less energy than standard incandescent light bulbs, which are actually banned in Europe and soon to be phased out in the United States, thanks to the landmark Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

An ENERGY STAR-qualified CFL will save about $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself in about 6 months, while using 75 percent less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb. Hard to argue with those figures - but which bulb is best for your bedside lamp/outdoor patio/chandelier? The U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR website has a fantastic guide to choosing the right light for your various household needs.

Air Filters – $1 - $10 each

The trick with furnace air filters is to clean or change them frequently. This way, your furnace doesn't have to work as hard to pump air through the device and into your home. A clean air filter lets your furnace breathe, improves air quality and reduces the amount of energy consumed by the furnace as it makes and distributes warm or cool air.

While cheap, 30-day filters can be purchased just about anywhere for about a dollar and change, a three-month pleated filter will cost you just a few bucks more. A filter's Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating tells you about the product's efficiency: the higher the MERV number, the more efficient the filter. Filters are easy to replace: just turn off the power to the furnace, open the front casing, replace the old filter with the new one, and close it all back up tightly. Stores like Walmart and Home Depot often carry a wide selection of air filters.

Power Strip – $15 and up

Unplugging dormant appliances may seem like a drag, but it's a great way to cut back on what's known as stand-by power, which accounts for about five percent of all residential electricity use.

A power strip helps you unplug your items in one fell swoop – an energy and time saver. Power strips range in price but you can find one for under $15 at Walmart, Home Depot or your local hardware store.

Foam Gaskets – about 10 cents each

These might be the cheapest of your energy-savers: you can buy a pack of 10 for under $5, and they will help insulate your building envelope in the areas around light switches and plug outlets on exterior walls.

Plus, they take less than a minute to install. Here's how.

Splurge: Low-flow Showerhead - $15 and up

Step up your energy-saving game with a low-flow showerhead and save water and energy. ENERGY STAR estimates that a 2.5 gallon-per-minute (low-flow) showerhead uses about 25 gallons of water during a 10-minute shower, saving you about five gallons of water over a typical bath, not to mention about $145 each year on electricity.

There are a range of showerheads on the market, so you shouldn't have a problem finding one that fits your budget – and your bathroom décor.