As utilities throughout the U.S. propose rate increases of as much as 70 percent, many homeowners are looking for ways to lower their energy bills. Simple steps such as home sealing can lower a home's heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent, saving homeowners hundreds of dollars.

"Having an energy-efficient home is just as important in the summer as it is in the winter. Home sealing is a simple way to keep cool air in, stay comfortable, and reduce energy bills," says Steve Baden, Executive Director of the Residential Energy Services Network, a non-profit energy efficiency organization. "One of the first steps homeowners should consider is properly sealing the home. Air leaking through gaps and cracks can add up to as much airflow as an open window, and an air conditioner is one of the largest summer energy expenditures."

Sealing the home with silicone sealants limits the costly escape of cool air from air-conditioned environments. A typical home can be sealed with four tubes of GE Silicone II, meaning that $20 could save a homeowner hundreds of dollars in energy costs.

GE offers a variety of silicone and acrylic home sealing solutions that can help a homeowner have a tighter, more energy efficient home. Jeff Davis, General Manager of GE Sealants & Adhesives, recommends a premium silicone sealant for summer home sealing.

"Silicone sealants provide homes with an air and water-tight seal that creates the highest level of efficiency and protection against the elements," says Davis. "And because of its unmatched durability and adhesion, homeowners only have to seal a home once with silicone."