Take the Energy Star Home Challenge and make two improvements

Buildings are responsible for 40% of total energy use in the U.S., and almost half of our energy use at home is spent just heating the place up. How does your home energy use measure up? If you have five minutes to spare plus easy access to your recent utility bills, then you're ready to take the Energy Star Home Challenge.

There are countless ways to save at home, but it's important to know where you're starting from. After you complete the Challenge quiz, follow the links to discover hidden energy savings, from installing new air filters to taking advantage of rebates and tax credits for buying energy efficient appliances. Get inspired by real stories of success, then commit to making two improvements to your home energy usage.

Which changes are you going to make around the house?

Take control of my thermostat, two degrees at a time

Did you know that setting your thermostat just two degrees lower in the winter and two degrees higher in the summer helps you save almost 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year? You probably won't feel the difference, but you will see the energy savings on your utility bill.

The rewards are even bigger when no one's home. According to the Alliance for Climate Protection, turning the temp down 10-15% while you're gone for the day can save you up to $150 per year. I'm sure you can think of a better use for that money, so don't let it slip away while you're out and about.

An Energy Star programmable thermostat with built-in energy conservation settings makes this process easy. Follow Energy Star's purchasing guidelines and start saving tomorrow.

What's your thermostat set at? Post a picture on our Flickr pool, with bonus points for energy efficient models!