Whether you live in a hot climate or cold -- or something in between -- you're probably paying more than you care to for gas and electricity. There are plenty of ways to cut your energy costs, and many of them involve small changes that don't require spending a lot of cash. In fact, some things don't cost a cent.

"Turn down your home thermostat two degrees," says Mark Fryburg of Portland General Electric in Portland, Ore. "That will save 24-kilowatt hours a month. It might not sound like much, but it adds up.

"Lower your hot water thermostat 10 degrees, but no lower than 120 degrees. You'll still get all the hot water you need but you'll save 25-kilowatt hours a month. That's assuming you're heating with electricity.

"If you heat with gas, the savings could be more because in many parts of the country gas costs have risen even more. Another thing you can do is fix leaky faucets. One drip a second is 20 kilowatts a month."

Michael Lowndes, of Uniondale, N.Y.-based Long Island Power Authority, says the first thing homeowners should do is have a home energy audit. "Not just once -- repeat it every couple of years. It gives a good baseline to work with." Audits, whether they're done in person by someone from the utility company or by questionnaire, are usually free and cover everything from heating and cooling systems to appliances to insulation. When the audit is done, you'll know which areas of your house are the most energy inefficient. In other words, where you're letting money fly out the window.

The U.S. Department of Energy has many energy saving tips on its Web site ( http://www.doe.gov/ ) They can help you save money in every area of your home.

Which energy-saving improvements give you the biggest and fastest return on your investment can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including where you live. But the folks at Portland General Electric have come up with a list that can save everyone money. Your local Energy company may have a similar list.

Spokesman Mark Fryburg says if you decide to implement any the suggestions, don't pinch pennies. It's important to buy the best "high performance" equipment.

"Don't get the cheapest shower head or porch light and don't hire the cheapest contractor to install insulation unless you're assured of the quality of the product or the service purchased. "For example, there are low-flow shower heads that deliver less water use but don't deliver a quality showering experience," says Fryburg.

One of the easiest energy-saving improvements involves light bulbs. Get rid of those incandescent bulbs and replace them with compact florescent light bulbs, or CFLs.

If it's time for a new washer, dryer or kitchen appliance, look for the "Energy Star". That shows the appliance meets or exceeds standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The proper roofing material and insulation throughout the home are essential to cutting energy costs. Building codes throughout the country dictate the minimum amount of insulation, but a homeowner building a house or replacing a roof may select a roof based on how it looks rather than energy efficiency. Perhaps nowhere in the country is the type of roof more important than in the South, where the goal usually is to reflect heat away from the home. A study by Florida Power & Light proves what Southerners have known for generations -- light-colored roofs do the best job of reflecting the sun. The study showed that the best type of roofing material for Sunbelt homes is white, galvanized metal. It actually came in a very close second to cement tile roofing in its ability to reflect the sun's heat, but won overall because of its "superior ability to cool quickly at night." The Chicago-based National Roofing Contractors Association says that even in colder areas of the country, people might benefit from lighter roof colors. The cooling season, though it's shorter than the heating season, is often more expensive.

And, finally, landscaping should do more than just look good. The right mix of trees and shrubs can lower your energy bills by blocking winter winds or summer sun. When buying a tree, make sure you know how big it will be when full grown. Don't put evergreens under power lines, as evergreens tend to get very tall. Your local nursery should be able to help you with energy-saving landscaping tips.

Whether the energy-saving changes you're prepared to make are big-ticket items such as a roof, central air or an appliance, or inexpensive such as changing light bulbs or getting a room air conditioner, be sure to check with your utility company for rebates. You might be surprised to see how rewarding energy efficiency can be.