An easy do-it-yourself project that should offer an immediate payoff in lower bills is to insulate your water heater. Particularly if your heater is in an unheated part of the house, a fitted water heater blanket can pay for itself quickly. Also insulate at least the first 6-10 feet of hot water supply pipe with pipe insulation, available at any hardware store.

Take matters into your own hands by checking for drafts and sealing them with caulk or putty. Expanding foam sealant can be used to fill larger areas that are protected from moisture and sunlight. Add weather stripping around the edge of doors and seal any cracks or gaps around windows, light fixtures and plumbing.

Leave shades and blinds open on sunny days, but close them at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows.

All of these steps add up to savings, comfort and environmental responsibility.