MANILA, Philippines - For home-owners, Mañosa offers a few common-sense tips that can make their dwellings greener:

1. Change incandescent and halogen lights to CFL (Compact Flourescent) bulbs, or if you have a bit more money to spend, LED lighting. These types of lights burn a lot less energy.

2. If your windows are old and leaky, it may be time to replace them with energy-efficient models or boost their efficiency with weather stripping and storm windows.

3. Plant shade trees around your house. These significantly bring temperatures down on hot days.

4. Use energy-star rated appliances.

5. Use solar-powered water heaters.

6. When you buy a new refrigerator, don?t leave the old one plugged in the basement as a back up.

7. Use gas appliances rather than electric.

8. Insulate your house.

9. Use light colors for exterior paint (including your roof). Light colors reflect sunlight and deflect heat.

10. Compost your bio-degradable garbage.