Lighting

Look for ENERGY STAR labels on home appliances and products. ENERGY STAR products meet strict EPA guidelines and can be 40% more efficient than other models. Further you can find rebates and incentives in your area for purchasing ENERGY STAR products. Visit www.energystar.gov to find out more information.

Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL's). This can reduce lighting costs by 75% alone!

Use task lighting instead of overhead lighting. This allows you to focus the light where you need it.

Consider three-way lamps, they make it easier to keep lighting levels low.

Turn off lights in any room you are not using. Consider installing timers, occupancy sensors or photo cells to reduce energy use. These sense your presence or lack of presence in a room and turn on/off the lights accordingly.

Consider using dimmers on lights so they you can use minimal light instead of using the lights full power thus reducing energy.

Use 4ft fluorescent fixtures with reflective backings and electronic ballasts in workspaces areas, garages, sheds, and laundry areas.

Consider using 4 watt mini-fluorescent or electro-luminescent night lights. They are much more efficient and better yet the luminescent ones are cool to the touch, providing extra safety measures.

Consider replacing halogen lamps with compact fluorescent lamps. They use 60-80% less energy than the halogens and do not get as hot. Halogen bulbs can be a fire risk because of the high temperature of the halogen bulb.

Use outdoor lights with photocells and/or motion sensors. This saves energy because the lights are only on during night hours or when someone is present.

Consider solar or wind energy options for attics fans, lighting, heating and cooling systems and water heating.

Check with your local utility and see if they offer renewable power sources. Your state, city or utility may offer rebates, tax credits or other incentives. Visit www.dsireusa.org to find incentives in your area.

Appliances / Electronics

Install an ENERGY STAR thermostat, they can save over $115 a year and provide more flexibility than standard models.

When possible, wash clothes in cold water. About 90% of energy use in a clothes washer goes to water heating. Only wash full load of dishes and clothes, fewer loads means reduced energy. And when practical use air drying or clotheslines to dry.

Reduce air conditioning costs by using fans, keeping windows and doors shut and closing shades during the day. Alternatively try using sheer curtains in winter months to allow natural sunlight to come in and warm a house and pull your drapes shut at night to reduce drafts.

A five degree higher setting on your air conditioning thermostat will save about 10% on cooling costs.

Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees or the "normal" setting when home, and the lowest setting when you are away. Water heating accounts for about 13% of a homes energy costs.

Take steps to reduce water use, consider installing faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads and low-flush toilets.

Unplug battery chargers and other equipment when not in use. Taken together small items can use as much power as your refrigerator.

Turn your thermostat down at night. You can save an average of three percent on your heating bill for every one degree that you turn down your thermostat.

Plug your television, computer and other electronics into a power strip and turn it off when you're finished. Electronics can use power even when they are not in use. "Phantom loads" occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCR's, TV's, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. In the average home, 25% of the electricity used is consumed while products are turned off. For older appliances, consider using a power controlling device to reduce the energy consumption.

An ENERGY STAR computer uses 70% less electricity than computers without this designation. If left inactive, ENERGY STAR computers enter a low-power mode and use approximately 15-watts or less.

There is a common misconception that screen savers save energy, this is untrue. Instead try automatic switching to sleep mode or manually turning off your monitor. Ensure that your power management settings are activated on your computers.

Test for air leaks by holding a lit incense stick next to windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, attic hatches and other locations where there could be a possible air path. If the smoke travels horizontally, you have located an air leak that may need caulking, sealing or weather stripping.