There are a miriad of ways to save money on your energy bills each day but one has the most dramatic effect - spend to save.

According to Kiplinger.com, start with a free and easy self-assessment:

Compare your utility bills with those of a neighbor whose home is about the same size as yours. If your bills are notably higher, you have a problem. Next, survey your energy use with an online tool such as the Home Energy Saver, designed by the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. But for a comprehensive diagnosis and significant payback, you’ll need an energy audit. For a cost of up to about $400, an auditor will spend as long as six hours evaluating your home from top to bottom, including the exterior (how airtight is it?), ductwork (is cooled or heated air going where it should?), heating and cooling systems (are they efficient?), and appliances and lighting (do you need energy-efficient upgrades?)…Energy Star says homeowners can cut their energy use 25% to 50%, depending on the condition of the house and how many recommendations homeowners implement. A bonus: Your home’s energy efficiency will be a future selling point.

Via Consumerist.