Eco-Resolutions: How to Increase Your Karma in 2012

If You've Got an Afternoon for the Environment...

Tweaking the energy efficiency of your home doesn't have to mean replacing your appliances. The U.S. Department of Energy's energysavers.gov site gives step-by-step instructions on conducting a home-energy assessment and shows how a few freebie changes—closing the fireplace damper, lowering the hot-water heater to 120 degrees—can save water, energy and dollars.