Energy...wheter it's gas, oil, or electricity it seems that the price keeps going up and up.  Just yesterday I came to work in the morning and gas was $3.39 a gallon, when I went home it was $3.59.  Where will it end, I am afraid no one knows.

     You try to cut down on the amount of gas you use by trying to combine trips, keeping your tires inflated and oil changed.  To cut down on oil you put on a sweater, use a blanket and cuddle with your sweetheart.  You also probably turn the heat down when you're gone for the day.

     But, what about electricity? With all of today’s technologies, computers, printers, air conditioners, TVs, VCRs, and microwaves, consumers are more “plugged in” than ever before. Nonetheless, the Alliance to Save Energy predicts that these growing power demands could lead to power blackouts and brownouts in years to come.

The Alliance urges businesses and consumers to be part of the solution. Below are some tips you can follow to easily and comfortably lighten the power load in your home — and cut energy bills too:

• Listen to your mother. ("What do you think — we own the electric company?!") Turn off everything not in use such as lights, TVs, printers and computers and unplug cell phone and battery chargers.

• Reduce utility bills by as much as 30 percent. Look for the Energy Star label, the symbol for energy efficiency, when shopping for major appliances, lighting, windows, and home electronics. Find retailers near you at www.energystar.gov.

• Shift energy-intensive tasks, laundry and dishwashing, to off-peak energy demand hours nights and weekends, and remember to do full loads.

• Install CFLs. Replacing four 75-watt incandescent bulbs with 23-watt fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) that use about two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer saves $190 over the life of the bulbs.

• Switch to cold water washing of laundry in top-loading washing machines to save energy and up to $63 a year—detergents formulated for cold water get clothes just as clean.

For more energy-efficient tips and information on how to save money around the home, visit the Alliance to Save Energy at www.ase.org.