* Put refrigeration appliances away from heating equipment, vents, and direct sunlight. Provide adequate space on all sides, and above, for ventilation. If you have a freezer or extra refrigerator, place them in a basement or other conditioned space, as opposed to a garage, where the unit will work much harder in warmer months.

* Check gaskets around refrigerators and freezers by closing the door on a piece of paper. If it pulls out with little or no drag, the seal probably needs to be replaced. Keep the condenser coils cleaned, and the "toe grill", at the front, unobstructed.

* New energy-efficient lighting gives more light for less energy. An 18-watt compact fluorescent tube gives you more light than a 60-watt bulb at one-quarter the energy cost. They cost more initially, but are far less expensive in the long run.

* Don't preheat your oven unless your recipe uses baking powder. Also, turn the oven off just before the allotted cooking time is over. Retained heat will complete the job.

* Turn off all appliances, TVs, lights and radios when not in use.

       NCEMC Environmental Commitment.