Cutting Costs in a Fuel-Scarce World

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Feeling Handy Around The House?

Install energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs. One bulb can save you at least $30 in electric bills over its lifespan. Replace five bulbs and you can save 50 percent of your annual lighting bill. The nonprofit Energy Federation sells Energy Star-rated CFLs for less than most retailers at $4-$11 each (www.energyfederation.org).

Install low-flow shower heads: Not only will they cut your water usage by 20,000 gallons per year, but they'll save you 10 to 16 percent of your water heating costs. And a 2.5 gallon per minute showerhead can cost as little as $6 (though the super-efficient Oxygenics Showerhead starts at $28.85). Available at www.old-fashioned-values.com and www.smarthome.com.

Replace or clean your furnace filters monthly. Making sure it's lubricated and properly adjusted will save another 5 percent on your heating bill.

Seal all holes, cracks and gaps where air can escape, raising your heating and air conditioning costs. Before adding any insulation, caulk and weather strip your home, paying particular attention to gaps where ducts pierce walls, the attic, the basement, windows and doorways. This will save 2 percent of your energy bill, which for a family of four means $36 a year.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which evaluates green building products, recommends quality weather stripping produced by:
M-D Building Products (www.mdteam.com),
Resource Conservation Technology (www.conservationtechnology.com), and
illbruck Sealant Systems (www.illbruck.com/en)