Today:

• Turn your water heater temperature down to 120 degrees F and get an insulating blanket.
• Set your thermostat back five degrees for eight hours every day. It can slice as much as eight to 10 percent from your heating bill. Or install an automatic setback thermostat so you won't forget to adjust the temperature.
• Use energy-saving settings on all appliances.
• Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners.
• Keep lids on pots to boil faster. And cook several items on your stove at once.
• Keep doors on attached garages closed.

This week:

• Caulk leaky windows.
• Buy water heater blankets, low-flow showerheads, fluorescent light bulbs and faucet aerators.
• Turn off exhaust vents as soon as they´ve done their job.
• Wipe your oven while it is still warm from cooking.
• Dish wash only full loads, unless you have a partial-load feature.
• Wash and dry clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot. Never rinse in warm - if your clothes don´t rinse in cold, you´re using the wrong detergent.

This month:

• Clean and replace furnace, air conditioning and heating pump filters. Replace your furnace filter each month.
• Check and add insulation in your attic and/or crawl space, outer walls and basement.
• Insulate hot water pipes and ducts in unheated areas.
• Seal large air leaks (ones that whistle on windy days).
• Set your thermostat to lower temperatures during the night and work hours.

This year:

• Replace inefficient appliances with energy-saving ones.
• Weather strip or upgrade leaking windows.
• Plant shade trees and shrubs on the west side of your house to reduce air conditioning costs.