Tired of throwing money at oil companies and your local utility? You can fight back by eliminating the energy waste in your life. Consider the following:

1. If you have an attic, you undoubtedly are wasting money on your heating bill. Take a close look at the entrance to the attic. If it is a drop down from the ceiling, hot air is moving up and through it.

2. If you heat your home with solar energy, foldable shutters can really make a difference. They should be open during the day when the sun is penetrating the windows. At night, shut the shutters to seal off heat loss through the windows.

3. Check the Pressure in Your Tires – Underinflated tires can reduce gas mileage by 3 to 5 percent and wear out the tires. Make sure to maintain pressures at the top end of the suggested psi of the tire.

4. Programmable Thermostats Save Money – Heating your home can be expensive. Programmable thermostats let you save money by setting the times when heating should occur and when it should not such as when you are at work.

5. Insulate Your Hot Water Heater – Your hot water heater can be a huge waste of money. The heat escapes through the walls of the heater. Buy one of the water heater insulation wraps to save money.

6. Energy Tax Credit Forms – The government is trying to promote energy efficiency by giving you tax credits for taking action. If you buy energy efficient products for your home, you can claim them on IRS form 5695.

7. Tire Air Pressure – Your tires are the single most important factor in your gas mileage. If they are underinflated, you are dragging them along.

8. Solar power not only saves you money, but helps stop global warming.

9. Window Energy Costs – Windows allow for the transfer of heat in a big way. Closing curtains or blinds over them at night can cut down on the rate of heat loss, saving you tons on your bill.

10. Coasting Gas Mileage – You can improve your gas mileage by not roaring up to red lights and stop signs. It is RED! Coasting can add two to three miles to your mpg ratings.

None of these changes will save you big bucks in the next month. Over time, however, they can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings. Every incremental change saves you money each and every month.

Learn more about alternative energy at SolarCompanies.com.