One of the easiest and cheapest places to start saving energy is with lighting.

Replace your most frequently used incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use only about a third as much electricity as standard incandescent. And though the bulbs are slightly more expensive to buy, a compact-fluorescent will easily pay for itself by lasting up to ten times longer than regular bulbs. According to some experts, if you substitute compact fluorescent bulbs for a quarter of the incandescent used in high-use areas, you can cut the amount of electricity you use on lighting by half -- saving money and our environment.

Replace outdoor lighting with a motion-detector equipped bulb or fixture. Now that your interior is lighting is more efficient, its time to look outside. Outdoor lights that are left on all night can add unnecessary costs to your power bill. Using a bulb or fixture with a motion detector solves the problem. Though installing a new fixture may require some professional assistance, it's probably worth the cost.

Install a Light Dimmer. The simple device can help you save big on your lighting costs. Dimming a light by 25 percent can save 10 percent on energy use and extend the life of the bulb.

Install a Motion Detecting Device. Motion sensing switches and night lights save energy by automatically lighting only when the room is in use and movement is detected – great for hallways, bathrooms and children’s rooms.

Install a Solar Powered Attic Fan. A poorly ventilated attic fosters conditions that can increase your heating and cooling costs, as well as accelerate the deterioration of roof structures. This product is free to operate and it also increases comfort. Invest a little now and save more in the long run.

Lower your hot water heater to 120 degrees and drain any sediment. Though changing light bulbs is easy, heating cold water is much more energy intensive -- and also a great place to save energy. Though you need to keep your water heater above 120 degrees to prevent bacteria from building up, many hot water heaters are set too high. Experts also recommend draining a pint or so of water from your water heater a few times a year to reduce sediment and increase efficiency.

Add insulation to your hot-water heater. As long as you're dealing with your water heater, you might as well add some insulation. Since the standard hot water heater is on all the time, adding extra insulation will save more energy than you think. Most hardware stores sell pre-made insulator "jackets" that can be easily wrapped around one's water heater. Experts estimate that adding insulation to your water heater and any exposed pipes can knock up to 15 percent off the costs of heating water.

Install a low-flow shower head. Low-flow shower heads are also a worthwhile investment (especially for renters, because you can take them with you) that will reduce the amount of hot water you use and hence the energy needed to heat it. The Energy Alternative carries product that introduces high velocity oxygen to aid in the feeling of high impact water.

Check for and seal any cracks or gaps. Heating one's home is the single largest use of energy for the average customer. And since experts estimate that all of the tiny gaps and cracks in an older home are roughly equivalent to a one-foot square hole punched in your wall, sealing any cracks or gaps with caulking and weather stripping can greatly improve energy efficiency. Advances in adhesives and stripping make this more efficient and easier than it used to be too.
After you've sealed the gaps, think about adding some insulation to your floor, ceiling or walls-- a bit of modern insulation can often work wonders for older houses. We carry a line of diagnostic tools to help you assess the energy efficiency of your home.