Below are ten steps you can take to go green, lower the amount of energy your home uses and reduce your carbon footprint.

1. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). If every American replaced just one light bulb in their home with a CFL the country would save enough energy to light more than three million homes for a year. That is $600 million in annual energy costs and the equivalent of taking 800,000 cars off the road.

2. Unplug household electronics when they are not in use. Even though your TV, DVD player and computer are turned off, they’re still using electricity. In fact, the Department of Energy estimates that 40 percent of all electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off.

3. Replace any old computer monitors with new LCD models. The new LCD models are 66 percent more efficient than their older CRT cousins.

4. Even better, replace your desktop with a laptop. Because they are designed to run on a battery, laptops are much more energy efficient.

5. Get a programmable thermostat. By properly programming your thermostat while you are away or sleeping, you can save up to 20 percent a year on your annual heating bill.

6. Lower your thermostat. For every degree you turn down your thermostat you save 2 percent on your annual heating bill.

7.  Reducing air leaks by weatherizing or caulking could cut 10 percent from an average household's monthly energy bill. The most common places where air escapes homes are: floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, fireplaces, plumbing penetrations, doors, windows, fans, vents and electrical outlets.

8. Inefficient windows can account for up to 25 percent of a home’s heating bill. Simple steps to make windows more energy efficient include repairing damaged glazing and installing insulating window shades.

9. After heating and air conditioning, the refrigerator is the biggest energy user in your home. Make sure to unplug your fridge and clean the coils in back at least once a year. Not standing in front of the fridge with the door open can also add up some significant savings.

10. Switch to an ENERGY STAR washing machine. In just one year you can save $75 in energy costs.