Two years ago my boyfriend (now husband) got a $400 light bill in the mail. Instead of turning off the lights and setting the A/C to 80 degrees when you leave for work—like most sane people would—he spent three days reading up on the Internet about tampering with your electric meter. Anyway, long story short he finally bought a programmable digital thermostat and thought the problem was solved.

If your husband is like mine, you might save a lot of trouble by taking a little advice. First, get an energy audit so you can see where you are really spending your money. Second, make him think it was his idea so it will actually happen. That shiny new thermostat helped a little, but the audit we ordered detailed the truth. One of our compressors was on its last leg, our attic and walls lacked insulation, the stripping on the windows was sub-par and the French doors in the back of the house were leaking cold air.

Energy audits are in demand, especially in the summer and particularly if you live in Houston where its summer just about year-round. An auditor will inspect the structure, roof, HVAC and mechanicals, plumbing, and interior and exteriors of the entire improvement. Most inspections will be concluded with a report detailing potential areas for cost and energy savings. Usually the report will include recommended contractors, products and services. Further recommendations on financing large capital improvements that could help you make your home energy-efficient may also accompany the document.

Some of the advice we took, and some of it we didn't. My point (in case you're lost) is that the energy audit gave us the ability to make educated decisions regarding our energy consumption, and some of the additional financial obligations that come with owning a home.