Five free things you can do to cut energy use:

1. Turn the computer off when it’s not in use.

Savings: Around $60 per year

2. Adjust the heat or air conditioner when you leave the house for a few hours.

Savings: Up to 10 percent on annual heating and cooling bills

3. Use the microwave as often as possible.

Savings: Nuking food for a few minutes costs about a fifth of the amount it takes to cook food longer in the oven or on the stove.

4. Turn down the temperature on your water heater.

Savings: 3 percent to 5 percent savings for every 10 degrees you lower the temperature. Try lowering it to 120 degrees.

5. Unplug electronics when they’re not in use — particularly cell phone chargers — and put computers and televisions on power strips that can be turned off. Televisions, cell phone chargers, stereos and other electronics suck electricity even when they’re off.

Savings: 5 percent on your electricity bill.

Five cheap ways to reduce energy use:

1. Switch one heavily used incandescent light bulb to a compact fluorescent bulb.

Cost: $5

Savings: $20 per year

2. Install low-flow showerheads.

Cost: $15-$25

Savings: $25-$65 per year

3. Seal windows, doors and any other openings with new caulking and weather stripping.

Cost: $100-$300

Savings: Up to 10 percent on your heating or cooling bills

4. Seal other air leaks. Install foam insulation gaskets behind electricity outlet plates or light switch plates. Close the damper on the fireplace when it’s not in use.

Cost: 0 to $10

Savings are small but incremental as you seal more crevices.

5. Replace traditional holiday lights with LED lights.

Cost: $75 to $100

Savings: Save 90 percent on the cost of electricity for your yard display.