You can save energy at home with some easy adjustments and home upgrades.

• Set your thermostat to 78°F or higher in the summer and 68°F or lower in the winter.
• Seal air leaks around windows with caulking and weather stripping.
• Install low-flow shower heads.
• Reduce shower time to as close to five minutes as possible, saving water and electricity.
• Use power strips to control power drawn from electronics that have standby power (cell phone chargers, stereos and televisions)—and turn off the power strip when not in use.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs, which use up to 75 percent less energy.
• Wash clothes in cold water, saving the electricity that would be used to heat the water.
• Use a pool cover in the summer to heat the pool with the sun and prevent evaporation.
• Add to or replace old insulation with better, higher rated options. Look for ceiling insulation at R-30 and wall insulation at R-11.
• Install a programmable thermostat, to automatically control temperature and cut the cost of heating and cooling.
• Close and cover the fireplace when not in use.
• Check monthly to see that your air filters are clean and unobstructed, and replace them when necessary.
• Replace old appliances and electronics with ENERGY STAR® options. Look for rebates at smud.org/rebates.
• Plant a shade tree. Fully grown and properly placed trees can cut my home cooling costs by 40 percent. Details at The Sacramento Tree Foundation.

And of course, you can have a Home Energy Contractor come out to your home to assess its energy efficiency.