Use fluorescent lighting -- it's far more economical than incandescent lighting and lasts 10 to 15 times longer. Install motion sensitive or photo-electric outdoor and security lights.

Open drapes on south-facing windows during winter daylight hours to get `free' light and heat.

Insulate your electric water heater: The thicker the insulation you use, the more energy you will save by decreasing heat lost to the surrounding air.

Cut hot water consumption. Equip your shower with a flow control or regulator and you can reduce the volume of water by two to four gallons per minute, while increasing pressure to 30 pounds per square inch.

When you hand wash dishes, fill the sink with water. Constantly running wash or rinse water consumes about 30 gallons of water per meal.

Cold water cleans many fabrics and soils just as well as warm water, although heavily soiled fabrics may require hot water. Too much soap will make your washer work harder and may require a second wash to remove excess soap.

When buying a new refrigerator or freezer look for a refrigeration appliance with a high-efficiency motor. Choose the appliance with improved or thicker insulation (polyurethane foam or fibreglass). Choose the smallest unit to meet your needs.

Oven cooking is more economical than surface cooking. Save time and energy by using one oven to prepare the entire meal. A pie or cake can go into the oven as a main dish is removed. Consider using a microwave oven, small portable electric frying pan, grill, or toaster/broiler instead of the oven.

Cook by time and temperature, as this eliminates repeated opening of the oven door to check on cooking progress. Each time the door is opened, the temperature drops 25 to 50 percent.

If you use portable electric heaters, use them only in small areas.