Power Down Lights on, computer humming, A/C droning? How to beat the high cost of home-office electricity

Working from home cuts some costs, like dry cleaning, gas forcommuting and office rent. But powering up the home office can puta drain on your monthly electricity bills, unless you'rekilowatt-wise.

"More time in the home office can lead to higherelectricity bills," says Steve Rosenstock, manager of electricsolutions with Edison Electric Institute (EEI) (http://www.eei.org), an industry tradegroup whose members work with homeowners to boost efficiency andlower bills. "They're targeting the home and, as a sideeffect, the home office."

Electric companies, many of whom face competition fromderegulation, have positioned themselves as homebased workers'allies in saving home-office energy. Some, like Florida Power &Light, offer cash incentives to boost energy efficiency. Meanwhile,EEI publishes 111 Ways to Reduce Your Electric Bill, a guide toefficient electric technologies.