Changing habits:

Some often-overlooked tips that can reduce your energy use by around 10%:

• Unplug items you rarely use.
• Unplug your televisions/VCR, stereos, clocks, cordless vacuums and small appliances when you're away on vacation. Many items draw power even when they're turned off.
• Remember to turn off your computer, or use the sleep setting.
• Turn down the brightness on your TV and computer monitor. You may not notice the difference but your electricity bill will.
• Keep lights and lighting fixtures clean, especially if you're reducing the number of lights you use. Dirt absorbs light. Let lights cool before cleaning them and never touch halogen bulbs with your bare hands. The oil from your skin can damage the bulbs. Use a small piece of paper to hold the bulb.  Investigate the cost advantages of replacing your old lights with LED lights.
• Dress according to the weather and the season.
• Close foundation vents in the winter months.
• If your air conditioning unit is on the ground, keep the area around it clean and free of obstructions to maintain airflow. Vacuuming air conditioner and furnace filters can help increase efficiency between filter replacements.
• Take full advantage of your window coverings. In the summer, close blinds and drapes during the day to keep heat out. In the winter, open window coverings on the sunny side of your home to take advantage of free heat from the sun. Close the coverings on cloudy days or right after the sun sets to keep the heat in.
• Modern fridges have a ‘holiday mode’.  Use it if away for more than 2 days.