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Those who want to save energy and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle can look close to home to cut back on power bills.

Here are some tips from Tony Callahan, senior vice president for Beazer Homes, to get you started.

Change filters. Replace your air filter regularly and tune up HVAC equipment yearly. A programmable thermostat will allow you to set the temperature according to your schedule.

Seal gaps. Repair or replace weather stripping on doors and windows, using caulk if necessary to get a tight seal.

Use CFLs. About 10 percent of electric bills come from lighting, and compact fluorescent bulbs are good to use in areas where lights are on for hours at a time.

Water works. Reduce water and the energy used to heat it with new water-saving showerheads and sink faucets.

Check your fridge. Replacing a refrigerator bought in 1990 with a new Energy Star model will save enough energy to light the average home for nearly four months.

Sounds like a good idea. It also sounds difficult, eh? Not really. There’s a new website, Catalog Choice, that lets you opt out of hundreds of catalog mailing lists with the proverbial click of your mouse. By jumping off the catalog bandwagon, you’ll do your part to spare some of the 8,000,000 tons of trees consumed each year for catalog paper consumption.

www.catalogchoice.org