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the attic and walls. You may need to do this because houses lose insulation as they get older - the insulation settles and gets sparse in some areas.

If you have regular windows, replace them with thermal or storm windows. You can weather strip all doors and windows from the inside of the house. Then caulk around windows and doors on the outside. Make sure you cover all the cracks and holes.

Even if you have thermal or storm windows, you can put window plastic on the windows from the inside for added protection. You can purchase window film kits from the local hardware or discount stores such as ACE Hardware, Home Depot, Lowe's and Wal-Mart.

On the exterior walls, use insulation gaskets around electrical outlets. When installing gaskets be sure to turn off the circuit breakers first to protect you from possible power surges.

WATER HEATER:

Lower the water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if you have an insulated-type water heater, cover the outside with a water heater insulation wrap. This further reduces heat loss, especially if the water heater is in a lower level of the house. If the water heater rests on a concrete floor, purchase a heat-proof base and place underneath the water heater.

For additional savings, consider installing demand-use water heaters. These new water heaters heat water on-demand and deliver the water as you need it. On-demand water heaters are small, take up less room and eliminate the need for traditional water heaters.

APPLIANCES:

Wash full loads only and use the cold-water rinse cycle. However, do not overload the washer and dryer. Run the dryer only for the length of time necessary to dry the clothes. Avoid peak times, do laundry early in the morning or late in the evening.

Run the dishwasher only once a day or only when the dishwasher is full. Start air drying dishes instead of using your dishwasher's heat-dry cycle.

Consider using small electric appliances like griddles, grills and skillets.

Cook large batches of food for several meals at once. Store the extra portions for later use. Since the oven is more efficient that cook tops, you may want to cook several meal dishes at once in the oven. Also, keep the oven clean to maximize efficiency.

Another very simple saving idea is to use small manual appliances like hand mixers and can openers instead of the electric ones. An added plus, the manual appliances are easy to store in cabinets and drawers freeing your countertop space.

If you have a freezer, place it in an inside

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