19.5 trillion

Amount of Btu, or British thermal units, the federal government has saved since 2003 as part of its efforts to increase the energy efficiency of its buildings nationwide. According to the White House Office of Management and Budget, the U.S government has saved $400 million annually over the past five-plus years. (The chart shows the decrease in Btu used per gross square foot in federal buildings.)

File this one under, If a massive, bloated bureaucracy-hampered body like the federal government can boost efficiency and decrease its energy consumption, so can you. Here's how:

• Replace expired incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

• Swap out old appliances for higher-efficiency models, as outlined in "Save Energy, Save Money."

• Take advantage of rebates and tax credits for solar-, wind-, and geothermal-energy systems and household appliances.

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