Then there's paying greater attention to conserving energy, starting with simple things that everyone knows about, like turning off lights before you leave a room, to concepts like "vampire power" or "phantom load," Pratt says. While those might sound somehow Halloween-related, they actually refer to appliances that draw power even when they're turned off--think of the little red light on your television that stays on at all times, she says.

The only way to handle that, Pratt says, is to unplug the television or turn off the power strip into which it's plugged. That might sound extreme, she says, but for example unplugging an Xbox video game when it's not in use can save more than $100 per year in electricity costs.

In the summertime, turning your air-conditioning on--or at least turning the thermostat down--after you get home at 6 or 7 at night is another smart move, Harrington says. "It doesn't make sense to run the air-conditioner during the day when no one's there," he says.

Greener Cleaning
Using more natural household cleaning agents also can make your home more environmentally sustainable, Pratt says. For one thing, almost anything a homeowner washes down their drain eventually makes its way into the Chicago River or Lake Michigan--including any caustic chemicals.

Secondly, your home's indoor air quality--especially during those winter months when you want to keep your home sealed--will be improved by cleaning with pantry items like vinegar, baking soda and water in a spray bottle, along with perhaps a little oil for a fresher scent. "It's like how our grandma cleaned," she says. For some green cleaning recipes, please click here.

People's Gas/Com Ed Rebates
Zoe Bottger of Franklin Energy, who's been jointly contracted by both utility companies, says that People's Gas and Commonwealth Edison supply homeowners with free personalized energy assessments and energy-saving products that may include programmable thermostats, ENERGY STARŽ certified CFLs, smart power strips, WaterSenseŽ certified showerheads, faucet aerators for bathrooms and kitchens, and hot water pipe insulation.