There's been a lot of talk lately about how much our home energy bills have risen. To find out if your energy use is above average, take 5 minutes to complete this home energy analysis. To perform this worthwhile test you'll need to know your home's age, square footage, number of occupants, and energy bill totals for a consecutive 12-month period (1 year).

Here's a breakdown of what the typical energy bill pays for:

• 45% - Heating and Cooling
• 15% - Other*
• 11% - Water Heater
• 10% - Clothes Washer & Dryer
• 7% - Lighting
• 6% - Refrigerator
• 2% - Dishwasher
• 2% - TV / VCR / DVD
• 2% - Computer & Monitor

* "Other" represents an array of household products including stoves, ovens, microwaves, and other small appliances. Individually, these products account for no more than about 2% of a household's energy bills. Source: EnergyStar.gov

Wondering what to do to reduce your home's energy consumption? Here are some resources to assist you:

• Home Energy Checklist for Action
• Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy and Money
• "Ask an Energy Expert" free service, US Dept. of Energy
• Home Energy Saver: The First Web-Based
  Do-It-Yourself Energy Audit Tool
• Swimming Pool Heating