Cut utility bills this summer!

Choose low-energy lighting
Lighting accounts for around 20 percent of the electricity consumed in the United States. Avoid energy-guzzling, heat-generating incandescent bulbs. A 60-watt bulb has an energy cost of $48 per 10,000 hours, and 85 to 90 percent of the electricity it uses is turned into heat. Opt for compact fluorescent ones (CFL) instead, like the ENERGY STAR Compact Fluorescent light bulbs and save about 25 percent of your energy cost.

Replace traditional recessed lights with more energy efficient ICAT (Insulation Contact, Air Tight) ones, which reduce the air flow from the ceiling into the living space.

Conduct a home-energy audit
Find out if your utility money is going out the window or down the drain. Take a free home-energy audit at the Home Energy Saver site (http://hes.lbl.gov/hes/vh.shtml) just by inputting your ZIP code and basic information about your home.

The audit will show you the best ways to save energy in your home and provide resources to make the savings happen, with recommendations on heating, cooling, major appliances, lighting, and remodeling.