more... > Home > Energy, Water & Environmental Management > Do High Natural Gas Prices Give You a Chill? When home heating costs get uncomfortable, there is a lot you can do to control how much energy you need to use to stay warm. LSU AgCenter Has Information On Energy-Efficient Construction Building energy efficiency into new or renovated homes can pay back the investment, according to Audrey Evans, an energy efficiency expert with the LSU AgCenter. Federal Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Home Improvements in 2006-2008 [Image: federal tax credits] Uncle Sam is encouraging taxpayers to invest in energy-efficient home improvements and systems that use renewable sources of energy (like the sun). For tax years 2006 through 2008, the federal Energy Act is allowing tax credits (dollar-for-dollar reductions in the amount owed) of up to $500 to reward certain energy-efficient improvements made over those three years. Improve Your Home and Profit; Make It Stronger, Safer, Smarter [Image: Improve Your Home] Floods, hurricanes and soaring energy prices happen, but they don’t have to bust your budget, damage your home, rob your time or deny your comfort. You can make your home stronger, safer and smarter byincluding both energy-saving and hazard-resistant mprovements whenyou remodel or restore it.  more articles... Building Your Louisiana House: A Homeowner's Guide to Shaping the Future for Louisiana Living [Image: Publication cover page] This guide is not a technical detailed construction manual. Instead, its purpose is to serve as a comprehensive planning and analysis tool. Find information on advantageous components of a sustainable house in Louisiana, a range of ways to address the criteria - from low-cost options to higher-end, higher-performance solutions and basic principles of building science that should be considered when choosing and installing any building system or technology in a hot-humid or mixed-humid climate. It Pays to Maintain Your A/C Maintaining your air conditioner can save up to 30 percent on operating costs, protect it from early failure, prevent mold from developing in the system, and help it perform at its best. Follow these tips to save money and protect your health. They'll also keep you cool and comfortable this summer. Best Ways to Cut Costs of Keeping Cool You probably think of an air conditioner as something that puts cool air in your homes, but what it really does is remove heat from your home. So an understanding of how heat gets in your home is the key to choosing the most cost-effective ways to cut summer utility bills while staying cool and comfortable. Air Conditioning Filters: Filter In Comfort, Filter Out Cost [Image: Air Conditioning Filters, Filter In Comfort, Filter Out Cost] The single most important thing you can do to keep your air conditioning and heating system working efficiently is to make sure the air filter is matched to the unit and is clean. This publication includes information on air filters and the benefits of keeping your filters clean. Air-conditioning Tuneups Are Profitable This publication explains the importance of a complete air-conditioning tuneup, including information on restored capacity, lower energy usage, longer compressor life and increased energy efficiency.