Did you know as much as half the energy consumed in your home goes to heating and cooling?

If you haven't replaced your HVAC system with a high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR^® qualified model, you're probably spending significantly more on home utility bills—up to 20% more if your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, and up to 15% more if your furnace is more than 15 years old.

Here are a few more steps you can take to increase energy efficiency and savings in your home:

Close the envelope

Insulating and sealing the exterior of your home, often referred to as the "envelope," can help keep air from leaking into the home from the outside, or vice versa, helping you to save up to $200 per year on home heating and cooling costs.

Seal the ducts

Duct sealing can save up to $120 per year in coastal areas, and as much as $190 if you're inland.

Install a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat can save you up to $100 per year in coastal areas and over $150 inland. Lennox' icomfort Wi-Fi Touchscreen Thermostat lets you set your home's temperature to save energy from anywhere in the world, using a smartphone, tablet or laptop. It also offers a live weather forecast and automatic updates for added convenience.

Add a power strip to areas with high-traffic devices

Using a power strip in home offices or entertainment areas can help you save up to $100 annually on your utility bill.

Replace old windows

Installing new, ENERGY STAR windows in place of old windows can save you between $150-500 in annual energy costs.

Install a new shower head

A new 2.5 gallon-per-minute shower head can help you tuck away an extra $145 a year in electricity costs, in addition to saving you 5 gallons of water per shower.

Add a ventilation fan

Installing a ventilation fan to control moisture, mold and mildew growth in the bathroom can save you up to 60% more energy than standard models when using an ENERGY STAR qualified model.

Replace incandescent lightbulbs

Substituting CFL bulbs for just five of your highest-use fixtures can save up to $70 per year on home utility bills.

Replace old appliances with new, high-efficiency models

For the greatest savings, choose ENERGY STAR approved models: They're up to 40% more efficient than standard models. Here's a breakdown of how much you'll save by replacing your home appliances with an ENERGY STAR approved model:

• Dishwasher—Save up to $40 per year on utility bills when replacing a 1994 or older model.
• Refrigerator—Save 20% per year on home energy costs. Unplugging an extra refrigerator in the basement or garage can equate to an additional $300-700 per year.
• Washing machine—See approximately 30% in energy savings per year compared to standard washers. Full-sized washers save 10-20 gallons of water per load.
• Clothes dryer—Save more than $135 a year if your dryer is over 10 years old.
• Water heater—Save up to $80 per year on gas bills; larger families will see even more savings.

For more energy-saving tips, take a virtual home tour with ENERGY STAR's Save Energy @ Home tool.

Source: EnergyStar.gov.