A home energy makeover may cost you a bit up front, but it will pay off in the long run.

Especially now that summer is almost here, I bet you’re like me and dreading the higher energy costs of the warmer months. And one of the best ways to combat the high cost of energy is to use it wisely.

One place to start is with your local energy company. They will send someone out to your home -- for free -- and give your place an energy audit. What are they looking for? Any place where energy is escaping your home or being used inefficiently.

An energy audit will survey your home for problems, then make recommendations based on the findings. You might need better insulation, to increase or repair existing caulking, or weather stripping or to install high-efficiency heating and cooling systems. All of these measures will reduce energy consumption, bring down utility bills, and curb greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, efficiency improvements, which can be completed in a matter of hours, can lower energy consumption as much as 40 percent.

And now might be the perfect time to think about making a few improvements in your living space.

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Home Star Energy Efficiency bill -- nicknamed “Cash For Caulkers” -- as an incentive for homeowners to complete energy upgrades to existing structures. While the bill still has to pass the Senate and be signed into law by the President, it will likely move quickly through the process, as the warmer months are when most folks are thinking about home repairs.

Eligible retrofits include pretty much anything that blocks entry of cold (or hot) air into a house. Including sealants such as caulk, foams, gaskets, weather stripping, and mastics. These items are usually on sale at Do It Yourself home repair stores during the spring and summer months.

There are also incentives for replacing that old A/C or heating unit, water heaters and other appliances. Attic and wall insulation are eligible as well, although they have to meet certain standards outlined in the bill. For instance, crawl space insulation has to cover at least 500 square feet for Uncle Sam to help cover its cost.

Windows are also covered, but at varying rates, depending on the amount of overall windows replaced. Doors are eligible on a one-to-one basis.

Under the bill, consumers would have two ways of tapping into the “Cash for Caulkers” money.

Under the “Silver Star” program, they would receive rebates totaling up to $3,000 for energy efficiency house retrofits. Cash would be limited to 50 percent of total project cost, however. Individual appliances would be eligible for rebates of $250.

Under the “Gold Star” program, homeowners would be eligible for a $3,000 rebate if they conduct a whole-house energy audit and install stuff that increases their overall energy efficiency by 20 percent. Plus, they’d be eligible for an additional $1,000 rebate for each further five-percent efficiency improvement, up to a grand total maximum top line of $8,000 in government cash.

Consumers would access this money via discounts or rebates given by contractors or stores at point of sale. These vendors would then turn around and apply to the government for the actual federal funds, just like in the “Cash For Clunkers” deals of last summer.

So while it may be several weeks until the legislation is law, it is probably a good time to get someone out to conduct an energy audit for you. Then you should consider calling a contractor for an estimate if the repairs require it. The program will have a limited shelf-life, so you’ll wan to be ready to go as soon as it is legally available.

Whether you take advantage of the “Cash For Caulker” program or not, summer is still a good time to take a look at your energy consumption and get a handle on what is -- or isn’t -- going out the window.