Get a blower test. For $200 to $500 (a fee that's sometimes subsidized by utilities), an energy auditor can find where air is escaping through cracks around windows, doors, pipes and light fixtures. If you plug these gaps with caulk and weather stripping, you can tighten the house considerably. But you should be aware that better sealed homes also need better ventilation, because they tend to build up extra moisture and indoor pollutants like cooking smoke and chemicals from household cleaners. While opening a window can bring in fresh air, it also lets heated air escape, so you may need to add a mechanical ventilation system.
Seal ductwork. Seal joints and openings around heating/cooling registers with mastic sealant or metal tape (not duct tape, which despite its name, isn't durable enough for this purpose). Also, partially close registers in rooms that you don't often occupy.
Improve windows. When it comes to conserving energy, windows are a weak spot, so many states and localities provide incentives to install storm windows, solar glazing for windows (to help control solar heat gain and loss), window films and weather stripping. Some will help subsidize upgrades to new energy-efficient windows as well. For a list of programs, go to EfficientWindows.org.
Install fans. Energy Star-rated ceiling fans improve air flow in your home and make you feel more comfortable in hot weather, so you're less likely to fiddle with the thermostat. Whole house fans in the attic reduce heat build up, so your house feels cooler.
Boost insulation. Over the years, insulation can settle down and lose its fluffiness, reducing its ability to protect against energy loss. Attic insulation should be at least a foot deep
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