It is no surprise that the nationwide energy crisis and economic down turn has made conserving electricity and financial fears hot topics. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways you can slice your electric bill without being left in the dark. Go figure! According to the American Lighting Association, lights account for 25% of a homeowner’s electric bill. How then, can we cut some costs?

1.) A no brainer, turn off lights when you are not using them.

2.) Consider switching to fluorescents, or better yet, CFLs. Incandescent bulbs are cheap, no doubt, but they consume more energy than any other type of bulb and have a fairly short life, thus making operating costs high. Energy efficient CFLs use 1/5th to 1/3rd the electricity of a comparably bright incandescent…and they last 10-20 times longer.

3.) Do a switch switcheroo. Dimmers can actually save both energy and the life of your bulb. If, for example, you reduce the voltage by 10% on a dimmer, you will double the bulb life and save energy and money.

4.) Consider three-way lamps; they make it easier to keep lighting levels low when brighter light is not necessary.

5.) Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it. For example, use fluorescent under-cabinet lighting for kitchen sinks and countertops under cabinets.

6.) Consider installing motion sensors, or occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights are on. Standard, incandescent light bulbs should be turned off whenever they are not needed. Fluorescent lights should be turned off whenever you’ll be away for 15 minutes or more.

7.) Install fluorescent light fixtures for all ceiling- and wall-mounted fixtures that will be on for more than 2 hours each day.

8.) Use ENERGY STAR® labeled lighting fixtures.

9.) Take advantage of daylight by using light-colored, loose-weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room while preserving privacy. Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight.

10.) During winter, open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

11.) Installing a skylight can provide your home with daylight and warmth. When properly selected and installed, an energy-efficient skylight can help minimize your heating, cooling, and lighting costs.