Whether or not you agree with the federal rebate checks, they are on the way or are already here in some cases. So, what's the best thing for you to do with that money? Save it? Spend it? Waste it?

For starters, the idea behind the rebate checks was to give people some extra money in hopes that they will spend it and ultimately help the economy to get out of this recession. So, saving that money, although wise and beneficial, is not really what it was intended for and will not help the economy. On the other hand, many individuals will cash it and spend it on frivolous items that have no value. Although this will help to jolt the economy, which economy will it jolt and how will it really benefit you?

Here is another "alternative hybrid" idea which will not only benefit the economy, but the environment and your pocket book too. Instead of buying frivolous things that will only give you a few minutes of enjoyment, invest in green products and make your home or car more energy efficient.

In a sense, this is just like taking that money and saving it, but in a different way. By increasing your home' s energy efficiency, you will save money each and every moth due to decreased utility costs. This will give you extra money every month, and considering that we are in a recession which may get worse, that might be just enough to keep you afloat. Not only that, but increasing your home' s energy efficiency will increase its resale value. Some Realtors estimate that for every dollar saved on monthly utility costs, a $100 increase resale value can be achieved. So, saving $50 per month in energy costs could increase the resale value by over $5,000.

Now let's talk about how this can affect the economy. While there is still a lot of debate about global warming, I think we can all agree that our industry and our economy could be more environmentally responsible. This is why it is very important to spend money wisely and buy products which are better for the environment. This will help change our current industry and economy to a more green one, because corporations will naturally follow the money and adjust to the current market trends. If you haven't noticed, this is already happening. Every where you look you see the word "green" because companies know this is a good selling point. Now of course there is plenty of "green-washing" going around, but those companies are quickly being called on their bluff.

By spending your rebate check on green or energy efficiency items you are helping the environment. You are also saving money by reducing your monthly utility costs and you are helping the economy, in particular the green economy.

You may be thinking, what should I buy, which products are going to give me the biggest and fastest return on my investment? I'm glad you asked because I have quite a bit of experience in green building and energy efficiency and here are my top 5 energy efficiency products which will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

1: Radiant Barrier: Radiant barrier is my absolute favorite energy efficiency item simply because it works and it works well. Radiant barriers will stop radiant heat transfer (97% of it) weather that means keeping your heat in when its cold or keeping heat out when its hot. Regardless of your local climate, a radiant barrier will reduce your heating and cooling cost. At a cost of about 12 to 13 cents per square foot this will give you the biggest bang for your buck considering that Energy Star shows an average of 14% reduction in energy cost.

2: Window Energy film: Window Energy film is similar to a radiant barrier, but it is a clear film as opposed to an aluminum sheet, which can be placed on existing windows to make them perform like high efficiency windows. These films will reduce heating and cooling cost by 12%-18%.

3: Tankless Water heater: Another huge energy drain is a typical tank water heater. Conventional water heaters are responsible for 30% of your homes energy costs, while a tankless water heater can cut those costs by 60%. Tankless water heaters work by only heating water on demand when it is needed instead of keeping a tank of water hot all of the time.

4: Efficient Lighting: Old incandescent light bulbs can generate unwanted heat and use 5 times as much electricity as a comparable compact fluorescent lightbulb. Each CFL can save over $37 in its life in reduced energy cost.

5: Weatherization and Sealing products: Most homes are not well sealed and air infiltration can reduce a homes efficiency by up to 50%. Common weatherization and sealing products are caulk, foil tape, expanding foam, weather stripping and outlet and/or switch plate gaskets. By performing a quick pressurization test, you can locate most of the air leaks in your home and use the products mentioned above to stop them.

If done right, after implementing all of the above mentioned products and techniques, one can expect to see energy savings from 30% to 60%. With these significant monthly savings, these products can be paid off in as little as a year. So, before you go out and spend that rebate check on worthless stuff, invest it in a green renovation and see a payback which will rival even the highest interest savings account.

By: Adam Beazley
As the owner and CEO of NeutralExistence.com, Adam has put together 2 perfectly sized energy efficiency packages to help individuals get the maximum benefit from their federal rebate checks. The two Eco Energy Saver packages are priced according to the average rebate sizes ($300 and $600) and offer the best prices you will find anywhere on a variety of green and energy efficient products. Get your Eco Energy Saver package today because these prices will not last long, or we will go broke!