By applying one, two or all of these tips in your home, you can cut your energy consumption and lower your bills to dazzling effect!

Be water frugal! These gardening techniques, courtesy of the Master Builders Association, will cut back your water usage without compromising the quality of your lawn.

• Water your lawn and garden deeply, but infrequently to encourage strong root systems. Also, consider letting your lawn go dormant during the summer by not watering it at all.
• Water only in the early morning or at night to avoid evaporation - and, therefore, save water.
• Whether using a hand-mower (preferred) or a regular gas mower, leave the clippings on the lawn for a natural fertilizer.
  
  

Tips below courtesy of Seattle City Light and BuiltGreen, a division of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.

• If you're considering a bathroom remodel, remember that new toilets use much less water - only 1.6 gallons per flush or less.  Throw out that old toilet!
• Add aerators to faucets that aren't already low-flow.  You can save water AND energy since so much of the water we use is hot - and therefore, costly to heat.
• Hug a tree!  They can add up to 20% to your property value, with a single mature tree providing nearly $300 in energy and resource values (in terms of cooling, erosion and pollution control).
  
  

Tips below courtesy of www.EnergyStar.gov and Seattle City Light's Efficiency Tips, available at www.seattle.gov/light/Conserve/Resident/HomeHeating/

• Hire a contractor - preferably an energy specialist - to perform an in-home evaluation.  Some improvements you can do yourself, but you may have to hire the contractor for other adjustments.
• Turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees F.
• Replace the lightbulbs in your highest usage lights with ENERGY STAR CFL bulbs.
• Install an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat that adjusts temperature to save energy while you're at work or away from your home.
• Stepping out for a while?  Turning your thermostat down or off for at least eight hours a day can greatly reduce your heating bill - by up to 20% or more.
• Plug leaks around doors, windows, fireplace dampers, attic hatches and wall penetrations to keep heat in and cold air out.
  Add insulation to walls, floors, attics and windows.