1. During the winter, if you lower the temperature by 1° F (if it’s set between 60° and 70°F), you can save as much as 5% of the energy your furnace uses.

2. Close drapes, blinds and shades at night to help retain heat.

3. Keep your thermostat set at 68º F during the daytime and 55º F at night to stay comfortable and save gas or turn it off if you’re away for more than four hours.

4. In the winter, open your window coverings on sunny days to help warm the rooms.

5. Lower your water heater temp to 120ºF (low) or 140º F (medium) if you have a dishwasher without its own heating element.

6. Wash clothes in cold water and use detergent specially formulated for cold water use. About 90% of the energy use in a clothes washer goes to water heating. Switching to cold water can save the average household more than $30 annually if you have a gas water heater and more than $40 annually if you have an electric water heater.

7. Make sure your dryer's outside vent is clear and clean the lint filter after every load.

8. Microwave small amounts of food instead of heating them up in the oven - you can reduce cooking energy by as much as 80 percent.

9. Have a gas range? Keep the burners clean to ensure maximum efficiency. Blue flames mean good combustion; yellow flames mean service may be needed to ensure the gas is burning efficiently.