I hate going to the doctor. I probably picked that up from my dad, who preferred to bite down on a dime rather than visit a physician.

I’m the same, and nowadays, with health information as near as a computer or cellphone, I can type in my symptoms on a web search engine and come up with a quick diagnosis and sample solutions.

Of course, in the event of serious conditions, I would not recommend this alternative to the doctor’s office — but for ailments within my ability to address, it’s a time- and money-saver.

The same is true when concerns arise about your home’s energy health: Applying do-it-yourself remedies can save time and money.

With their handy DIY Home Checkup Kit, Jackson EMC offers a quick and easy way to help you diagnose your home’s energy symptoms and recommend solutions.

All the specifics are at jacksonemc.com/kit. You can request your free kit, which comes to you with a DVD and literature that details how to examine your home to identify potential energy-busters.

The Home Checkup DVD walks you through a treasure trove of information designed to assist you in tackling both big and small projects to make your home more energy efficient.

If you can’t wait for your DVD to arrive in the mail, get a taste of what’s to come by watching the DIY videos online. With these step-by-step tips that show you how to make inexpensive home improvements, you’ll learn how to:

• Recognize heating and air conditioning problems and properly maintain your HVAC system.
• Operate your water heater efficiently in order to reduce the cost of using it.
• Properly use insulation to keep air inside your home and improve energy efficiency.
• Use appliances with energy efficiency in mind, and more.

You can print a Home Checkup Checklist that includes dozens of possible energy-busters to check for around your home. You’ll learn how to check if your ductwork joints are connected or if your supply/return vents are obstructed. The checklist will remind you to change your air filter every three months and turn off your lights when they’re not being used.

The kit’s handy energy saving tips remind you to only run the dishwasher and washing machine when there’s a full load and to set the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees to keep from overheating water—and paying for water that’s too hot.

And if that’s not enough information, there’s a comprehensive, 16-page brochure outlining even more ways to save on your power bill by taking specific measures to reduce your energy consumption.

The older I get, the more I realize that sometimes it’s best to visit a doctor when you’re not feeling well. And sometimes it’s best to call a professional handyman when something in your home needs special attention.

For those who want the experts, Jackson EMC also offers its home energy evaluation — when representatives from the cooperative use state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose your home’s energy efficiency. Visit jacksonemc.com/evaluation to learn how to get started with a home energy evaluation.

For those who want to do it yourself, I’m sure glad Jackson EMC offers a checkup kit for home energy care that helps me keep my house—and power bill—in tip-top shape.

Jackie Kennedy has worked with Georgia’s electric cooperatives for 25 years, producing newsletters, press releases and articles about the industry or energy-related matters. She is the author of People, Power, Progress: The Story of Jackson EMC, published in 2013. In her blog, she grapples with a variety of energy efficiency topics.