Aside from being an awesomely 80’s hit, some people just like their home at a stable 1 million degrees. Others, like it so cold even the dog needs a blanket.

But what many of us don’t realize is just how much energy (and money) we’re wasting setting the thermostat at such extremes. People have survived for thousands of years without heating and cooling and for the most part they seemed to do ok. So why in the last 100 years have we seen such a dependency on these systems?

By taking just a few easy steps, you can save on your electric bill, reduce your dependency on A/C and ultimately do your part help mother nature… all while staying comfortable in your home. Let’s take a look.

1. Remember Outside? Back in the day, people would open their windows on cool summer nights or crisp autumn afternoons. In the winter, they insulated door and window frames and made sure to bundle up a little more. Working with nature instead of against it can lead to big savings. Setting the thermostat to 85 in the dead of winter is only going to weigh on your wallet. Try setting it to a more moderate temperate that is bearable and just be smart about clothing options. Do you really need to walk around in the living room in your underwear when it’s 30 degrees outside?
2. You can Deal. Our bodies are not as delicate as you think. Believe it or not, we can handle temperatures outside of the 72-78 home temperature range. Depending on where you live, try turning your air off when the temperature is in the 65-75 range. If it’s a cold winter day out, set the thermostat a little cooler than you normally would. Plan ahead by wearing warmer clothing indoors. The same goes for summer. If it’s 80 out, set the A/C to a little warmer than you normally would and wear cooler clothing.
3. Furniture doesn’t need A/C. If no one is home, turn the thermostat off or set it much higher. Why cool or heat a house if no one is there to enjoy it? Simply changing the setting when you leave in the morning and come in at night can make a big difference on your electric bill. Several companies now have special timed settings that can do this automatically!

The thermostat can be a hot point in many households, but it can also be a huge source of savings!  Just taking a few simple steps will get you on the right track.

While we briefly mentioned it above, one of the biggest savings in heating/cooling comes from good insulation. Professionals called weatherization auditors actually commit themselves to making your home more eco-friendly and energy efficient by finding ways to better insulate your home. For more information about Weatherization auditors please go to www.FloridaWeatherization.org

A lot has been lost in the name of budgeting; Tuesday nights at your favorite Italian restaurant, the Netflix account… even that trip to your favorite childhood lake. In a society of over indulgence, fiscal restraint is always a positive, but few realize just how much wasteful spending lies beneath the surface.

Since Edison, lighting has been a staple in the daily lives of billions. Unfortunately, the bulb as we know it is incredibly inefficient, producing more heat than light and costing the average citizen hundreds in unnecessary energy bills.

Enter CFL’s (compact fluorescent bulbs). These babies will not only save you money, but lead to a more eco-friendly, less energy dependent U.S.A.

So what exactly are the benefits of CFL’s? Well, let’s take a look.

- Longer Life. Most ENERGY STAR qualified CFL’s will last 6 – 10 years, compared to incandescent bulbs that go for less than a year.

- Lower Energy Costs. According to the EPA, CFL’s use about 75% less energy and produce the same amount of light as an incandescent bulb. Considering the average U.S. household spends about  20% of its electricity bill on lighting, the savings can be major. A 75 watt CFL will incur a life time savings of about $40 over an incandescent, where as a 150 watt CFL will save as much as $100!

- Cooler Operation. CFL’s burn much cooler than their inefficient buddies, cutting energy costs associated with home cooling. Cooler bulbs also mean less burn victims in the house and a lowered fire risk.

According to the EPA, if every household replaced one incandescent bulb with a CFL we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes! Not to mention, the additional income you’ll have from those savings.

Now take those savings and multiply them by every energy inefficiency in your house. That could be enough to revive a few casualties from the war on spending, and inject some much needed Italian food back into your life (or whatever sacrifice you’ve made in the name of savings).

Making your home more efficient is simpler than you thought and it could be FREE! The U.S. government has had a program in place since 1975 to help low income households make their home more energy friendly at no cost. The Weatherization Auditors Program (WAP) connects these households with those in the profession, meaning you’re on your way to big savings in no time. Weatherization auditors also look for other environmental health concerns like asbestos and mold.

A career in Weatherization is all about helping people and the environment. Work days are anything but an office job and the job outlook remains promising. To find out more about an exciting career in Weatherization or what WAP can offer, go to www.FloridaWeatherization.org today.

If you haven’t heard, green is in. From shopping bags to shopping malls, everything these days seems to claim an eco-friendly merit badge. And this isn’t just a passing trend. Climate change, population booms and the industrialization of developing nations are impacting our world on a scale like never before, with the effects becoming more and more visible. Governments are seeing these changes and are developing programs to slow negative consequences. Programs like REDD and LEED are gaining popularity by both the public and private sectors as a sustainable, money making way to be “eco-friendly.”

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System has certified over 7,522 projects in the U.S. with another 32,210 already registered. Nearly 155,000 professionals have been accredited as LEED certified and this number is growing. According to a report by Booz Allen Hamilton, by 2013 green building construction will add $554 billion in GDP and support over 7.9 million jobs.  And this just isn’t restricted to the United States. Projects around the world are using LEED certification in everything from campus dorm rooms to commercial office buildings.

These jobs are not restricted to construction contractors. Architects, developers, lawyers, real estate professionals and even property manager are being impacted. Likewise, certification is not just for those doing the building. Becoming certified in LEED will expand your job opportunities and cater to a growing number of businesses looking for those with a “green” background.

Becoming a LEED certified professional means passing the Green Associate Exam. Like any exam, preparing yourself is crucial to earning a passing score. At the Institute for Corporate & Continuing Education at HCC (ICCE), you can take courses that cover all aspects of the test to ensure you are ready, including water management, project site factors, public outreach and stakeholder involvement.

In today’s job market, it is crucial for professionals to stay on the cutting edge in order to become more marketable and in turn bolster higher earnings. Becoming a LEED certified professional will make you a better candidate for the business of tomorrow, today. For more information go to www.tampatraining.com.