It's easy for tenants and consumers on tight budgets to reduce home energy costs and increase the comfort of their home. Follow the tips below to keep energy costs from controlling your wallet.

Step 1: Start with free or inexpensive energy-saving improvements.

• Install CFLs in your most-used lamps and lighting fixtures. Switch incandescent light bulbs that are used more than two hours per day with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). You'll save roughly $35 annually by replacing four standard incandescent lamps with CFLs.
• Control the temperature of your home. In the winter, set the thermostat as low as comfortably possible. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you'll save 5% on heating costs.
• Install low-flow faucets and showerheads. Inexpensive and simple-to-install, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce home water consumption and water-heating costs by as much as 50%.
• Conserve hot water. Notify the building manager if any of your faucets leak. One drip can waste up to 48 gallons of water per week. If it's a hot water faucet that's leaking, you're literally sending your energy dollars down the drain. If you have access to your water heater, set it to the lowest temperature settings that are still comfortable for your daily needs.

See Flex Your Power's database of energy-saving tips for more easy ways to reduce your electricity bill.

Step 2: Apply for rebates, incentives and technical assistance.

Use Flex Your Power's Rebates, Incentives & Services Locator to find energy efficiency programs offered by utilities and other organizations.

Step 3: See if you qualify for your utility's energy bill assistance programs.

• California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)

  CARE is a discount program for low-income households, tenants and residents of group living facilities, nonprofit migrant housing and migrant farm worker housing. CARE customers receive a 20% discount on electric and natural gas bills and are exempt from the rate increases approved in 2001 for Southern California Edison (SCE), Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). Eligible customers are those whose total household income is at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines.

• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

  LIHEAP offers financial assistance to offset the costs of heating and/or cooling homes, as well as for home weatherization measures that make homes more energy efficient. Priority is given to people spending a high percentage of their income on energy and families with elderly or disabled members, or children under three years of age.

• Temporary Financial Hardship

  Some utilities offer programs that help low-income customers – particularly the elderly, disabled, sick, working poor and the unemployed – pay energy bills when faced with a hardship.

• Free Energy-Saving Home Improvements

  Some utilities offer free energy efficiency improvements for the homes of customers that are experiencing particularly difficult financial situations. Qualified, pre-screened contractors provide the services. Free appliances or improvements include:

  • Weatherstripping around doors
  • Attic insulation
  • Furnace repairs and replacement
  • Caulking
  • Refrigerators
  • Air conditioners
  • Water heaters
  • Compact fluorescent light bulbs
  • Porch light fixtures
  • Low-flow showerheads
  • Evaporative cooler covers and a/c covers
  • Switch and outlet gaskets and covers
  • Pipe insulation
  • Faucet aerators