Energy Saving Ideas
You can take a credit based on what you spend on various energy-saving improvements made to your main home. New energy-efficient improvements qualify, including insulation, exterior windows, exterior doors, water heaters, heat pumps, central air conditioners, furnaces and hot water boilers.
These credits are claimed on Form 5695.
Here are some ideas from the Dept. of Energy's Energy Effiecience and Energy Renewable Energy Consumer Guide:
Artificial lighting consumes almost 15% of a household's electricity use. Use of new lighting technologies can reduce lighting energy use in homes by 50%-75%.
You can reduce lighting energy use by selecting lighting and sources that use energy more efficiently, and by installing lighting controls.