Saving money and conserving energy is simple.(The Orlando Sentinel)

Byline: Ken Sheinkopf

Recent increases at the gas pumps have spurred many Americans to think about high energy costs_even though there is no direct link between the cost of gas and the amount of money you hand over to the utility company each month.

But, regardless of what makes people think about conserving energy, it's a positive thing.

Obviously, everyone would like to save money on basic monthly expenses, and while mortgage or rent payments are fixed, as are taxes and insurance payments, the amount you pay for energy can vary tremendously depending on how much energy you use.

Researchers at the Florida Solar Energy Center have calculated that a typical Florida homeowner's utility bills account for about 5 percent of his or her total annual after-tax income. That's based on the average 8 cents or so that Floridians are paying for each kilowatt-hour of electricity they use.

The way to save energy is simple, and you don't need someone to give you a whole lot of ideas. What you need to do is make an effort to use electric household appliances and cooling and heating systems less frequently, and keep them in good working order.

You'll get products that do the job you need when you want to use them, and they'll last longer_giving you even more savings over time.