If we had infinite money and time, many of us would completely revamp our homes with all the high-tech energy efficiency improvements we can think of, but in reality, financial limits have to come into play. If you're tired of paying exorbitant amounts for heat and electricity, but have to accomplish your renovations on a tight budget, here are the top projects to undertake for maximum financial returns, in order of effectiveness:

• Air-seal the home. If you have to focus on one area of the house to prevent warm air from escaping and raising your heating bill, look at your attic. Sealing gaps in the attic floor, which often appear around chimneys, pipes, wiring and light fixtures, will dramatically increase your home's ability to retain heat.
• Insulate the attic floor. Again, the attic should be your main target when adding insulation to your home for energy savings. Experts recommend maintaining at least 10 inches of insulation in the attic floor to keep rising heat from escaping through the roof.
• Replace your old heating system. Technology in this area is progressing rapidly, so if you still have a heating system that's older than about 20 years, it's time for an upgrade. Even ordinary appliances sold today will lead to savings, and ENERGY STAR certified appliances can save you even more.
• Seal off your ducts. According to Money Magazine, improving the seals on exposed HVAC ducts in your basement or attic can slash your heating and cooling costs by up to 30 percent. Despite its name, don't rely on duct tape alone to do this job; it requires special tape and mastic.

For help customizing an energy efficiency improvement plan, contact Alban Inspections for an energy audit today.