What are some cheap and efficient alternative power options that will lower my electricity costs in my condo?

First of all I'd like to make a note that saving energy is very dependent on the type of climate you live in. For some most expensive is the air-conditioning others don't even remember last time they used one. Some need to heat their houses in the winter while others can simply wear a thin sweater and be fine.

But here are a few general tips that I find helpful.

Saving money during the cold season:

1. Make sure that there are no drafts! There are ways to seal your windows so that cold air cannot penetrate through gaps between the window and the window frames.
2. Make sure that you have curtans on your windows. Yes they are pretty, but I am still talking from the heat conservation point of view. The thicker the curtains are the more heat you will be able to preserve on the inside of your house.
3. Cooking at home will help you save money. Well we all know that eating at home is cheaper than eating out. It's also healthier. Another benefit to it is that the stove and the oven help you increase the temperature inside your house.
4. Do not leave the thermostat on when you leave the house or leave it on a relatively low setting if you leave in a region where turning the thermostat off is completely unrealistic in the winter. There is no point in having the house as hot as you normally like it when no-one is home to enjoy it.
5. Get yourself a warm blanket and start lowering the temperature in the house at night. Yes, I know it's cold to wake up to... although you could (if your system has one) set a timer and have the heater turn on a little bit before the alarm. When you will be falling asleep the house will be still warm. When you sleep, you will not care that the house is colder since you are under a good warm blanket (I love dawn blankets).

Saving money during hot summers:

1. My comments are once again very dependent on the type of climate you live in. If the temperature outside drops significantly at night, do not forget to use this resource. Air outside is free and if it is cold enough at night make sure to "grab" as much of it as possible.
2. Once again curtains are wonderful. Drawing curtains during the day will help you prevent the inside of your house or appartment from heating up as much as it would otherwise.
3. Do not leave airconditioning on when you leave the house. Yes, I know it is nice to return to a house that is cool and refreshing... but think about all the energy that escaped while once again you were not there to enjoy it. After all you don't leave the water running when you leave the house simply so you don't have to wait for it to warm up when you want to take a shower or wash your hands. Same thing with electricity. Once again a properly adjusted timer might be of great service if you know about when you will be coming home.
4. Try not to cook hot complicated meals during the summer. The stove is awesome for generating heat in the winter, but in the summer it starts defying the purpose of having air-conditioning on. Go with things that could be eaten cold. There are a lot of good cold soups and salads that taste simply amazing.

A few general tips:

1. Do not leave lights on when you do not need them aka are not there to enjoy them. When you decide to go back into the room it won't be too problematic to flip a switch. If switches bother you, you might want to look into movement sensors or "clap-on" systems. Then all you have to do when entering a room is wave your arms around or clap and the lights will go on. Best when combined with a timer to turn it off afterwards.

2. Do not leave porch lights on. A motion sensor would be best in this case as well. There is no sense in illuminating the street when you are not there to benefit from it. All you need the lights for is to make it safely to your door and get the key into the key lock. A motion sensor will turn the lights on when you or your guests approach the house and really need it as opposed to just being on all the time.
3. Like tea? Boil watter often? Get an electrical kettle. Those things are much quicker and help you save energy, while the result remains the same.
4. If you use the oven a lot consider getting a toaster oven or another device of the sort. They are much smaller and take much less time and energy to warm up and cook the food.

I hope you will find at least one or two useful ideas for your own personal energy woes.

Happy saving.