“ I think I’ve done all I can to conserve, but I have this feeling I can do more.”

Get an expert view of how you use energy

Every home is as different as the people who live there, including how it consumes energy. The type of windows it has, how much sunlight it gets, the type and age of its appliances, air circulation — all of these have a part in how much energy your home uses.

Using energy efficiently can be complex. In some buildings, caulking around the windows has the biggest impact; in others, it’s ceiling fans.

Even if you've weatherproofed to the best of your ability and you do everything you can to conserve, an energy expert can take a quick tour of your home and spot the places you may be wasting energy.

Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas recommend you consider getting the insight only an expert can provide. Professional energy auditors who come to your home will be able to show you where you can conserve more energy and save money, including when to invest in more energy-efficient appliances.

The Illinois Association of Energy Raters maintains an up-to-date listing of energy auditors, and all its members are certified with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

These Home Energy Raters charge for their services—usually no more than a few hundred dollars—but it's common for their insight to result in savings that quickly cover the costs of your investment.