Looking to cut back on your electric use this season? We've got a few ideas to help you save some green while going green.

1) Use dimmers. Dimmers are a simple way to cut back on your energy use in your home. Instead of always having your lights on full blast (and using their full amount of energy), you can control the mood of the room, while saving energy! Simply lower the lights for less energy use, and voila - energy savings that are good for the world and even better for your bank account.

2) Consider OCC sensors. OCC sensors (otherwise known as occupancy and vacancy sensors) make for smart energy saving solutions both indoors and outdoors. A simple solution to the bigger problem of going green, occupancy/vacancy sensors simply shut off the lights when you're not in the room, and turn them back on as soon as you walk back in. They've long been used in offices, medical spaces, and schools, but they're just as helpful for savings at home. Whether you're going for ceiling mounted or wall switch, our motion sensors can help you decrease your energy usage and save some green.

3) Use your appliances wisely. This is a simple one that many people simply don't think about: to help prevent electricity outages, avoid running your appliances during peak hours (from 4 to 6pm), or anytime an electricity emergency is declared. Many of us simply leave our appliances on all day long without thinking about it - our window AC units, our kitchen appliances…we don't remember to shut them off, and we don't think about how much energy they're using. Turning your appliances off (and unplugging them!) can make a significant dent on the way to savings.

4) Choose ENERGY STAR^® appliances. Energy Star appliances are pretty easy to find these days, and to be honest, they're not even much more expensive than their counterparts. They're an easy way to do your part for the planet without having to make some hefty changes in your day to day routine. Buy certified table lamps and light fixtures, and replace your incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star compact fluorescent bulbs. They're not as pretty, and the light isn't as natural - but you'll be doing your part to save the planet, and save some money while you're at it.

5) Increase attic insulation. How many of you have old homes that get mighty drafty come winter? Any heat you turn on seems to slip out the windows and out the doors, through tiny cracks and crevices you can't even see. Living in an older home comes with plenty of quirks, many of which you can't avoid. What you can avoid is losing all your heat and overdoing it on your energy bill - all you have to do is insulate your attic. It's simple: heat rises, and so when you turn it on downstairs, it all goes up. All the way up, to be specific. If your attic isn't insulated, any heat you've spent money on will simply go back out into the air. If your existing insulation level is R-19 of less, consider insulating to at least R-30 (an insulation specialist can help you figure out where you stand). Insulated homes save a bundle on energy compared to their non-insulated neighbors. It might be a costly home improvement, but trust us when we say it's worth every penny.

And there you have it! Five energy-saving tips for fall.

Products covered: Universal Occupancy Sensors, Vacancy Sensors