In these rough economic times, finding a safe and productive place to invest money seems nearly impossible. However, research done at the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory in 2001 showed that 10 common efficiency investments in a home and appliances could result in a 16 percent average annual return. That is better than the Dow Jones Industrial Average high performance of 14 percent from 1990 to 1997.

So, what are these 10 measures and how do they perform?

1) Changing lights to new fluorescent lamps and fixtures averages a 41 percent return.

2) Sealing heating and cooling ducts averages a 41 percent return.

3) Upgrading to Energy Star when replacing a clothes washer averages a 37 percent return.

4) Upgrading to an Energy Star programmable thermostat has an average return of 30 percent.

5) Installing an R-12 water heater insulation jacket averages a 28 percent return.

6) Upgrading to Energy Star when replacing a refrigerator averages a 37 percent return, assuming that the old one is no longer used.

7) Upgrading to an Energy Star heat pump when replacing the furnace and air-conditioning system averages a return of 19 percent.

8) Upgrading to Energy Star when replacing a dishwasher results in an average return of 18 percent.

9) Weatherizing and sealing the home to limit air changes to less than 0.5 per hour averages of a 9 percent return.

10) Increasing wall and attic insulation to 1997 Department of Energy recommended levels have an average return of eight percent, representing the highest cost of nearly at $1,800.

The Lawrence Berkley study used 1997 costs. In the 10 years since that study, fuel costs have increased and the cost of many of the energy efficiency technologies have dropped. That means a person can realize an even greater return on these investments now.