The key to buying an energy efficient home is making sure any energy loss problems are taken care of before you move in. Energy efficiency experts recommend having the heating and air-conditioning units checked out by a professional and inspecting the duct work for any leaks around seams and vents.

Also, look at your insulation in the attic. Most experts recommend an R-value -- the measure of resistance to transfer of heat and cool -- of at least an R-26 or R-30, but I always insist on pushing it on up to an R-38.

Now, what is that in inches? It can vary, depending on what type of material it is. If you don't see at least 8-12 inches of something up there, I would have it added.

Look around doors and windows and see how the weather stripping is. If it looks to be worn or tattered, definitely replace it, because those are areas where wind and air that you don't want in your home will continually come in if they are not closed tightly.

And don't forget to check every electrical wall outlet. You can open it up to see if there is any insulation around it first by looking. Also, they do make gaskets you can set behind those outlets that will block a lot of that air.

Have your water heater checked out, too. Make sure it's operating efficiently and not set too high. We want to have it on a low setting or, let's say, 120-degrees setting. It is going to save you, because it is going to cycle on less frequently.

I'm Michael Holigan, About The House.