Put aside your energy costs and totals for a moment. It's time to check out conservation measures. There are basically two kinds of conservation measures: 1) not using things or not using them as much (turning off lights, keeping air conditioning on only when you are at home, etc.); and 2) using things that are more energy efficient (new refrigerators use less energy, insulation saves on air-conditioning and heating.)

To learn how much energy a certain appliance -- like a refrigerator -- uses go to your nearest appliance store. If the product is still being sold, they will have a sheet listing its energy usage. If it's an older product, contact the manufacturer. Most manufacturers have toll-free 800 numbers. To learn the manufacturers' number, call the toll-free directory at 1-800-555-1212. Most manufacturers also have a Web site. Use a search engine like Yahoo or Lycos to find it -- then send in an e-mail with your energy use request. Ask how many watts of energy the appliance uses.

Calculate how much your family would save in energy costs by subtracting the amount of energy used per month by the more efficient appliance from the energy used by the appliance your family currently has. Divide the watts saved by a 1000. This will give you kilowatts saved. Now multiply kilowatts saved by the cost of a kilowatt. This will give you the total amount your family will save in dollars by using a more energy-efficient appliance. (Don't forget to calculate the time factor. That is, a refrigerator is on all the time. But your air conditioner is on for only a certain amount of time during hot months.)