As the presidential candidates spar over the best solutions to America's energy problems, both Barack Obama and John McCain's ideas have already gotten mileage in Austin.

"It doesn't surprise me, frankly, that both of them look at programs we have here and talk about them on a national level," said Austin Mayor Will Wynn, who has talked with both candidates about Austin's energy saving programs.

While both candidates are sparring over energy supply this week when they discuss offshore drilling options, Obama's central focus is to reduce energy demand. Austin Energy, the city-owned utility, offers incentives for residential home improvements to encourage conservation. For low income families, energy upgrades are free.

"We seal this duct to the sheet rock to make it one hundred percent air-tight," said Austin Energy contractor Gerald Elrod, who works in the sweltering heat to seal A/C ducts in apartments around the city.

Each tightly-sealed system helps cut consumption overall.

"A lot of small things add up," said Wynn. "We're doing virtually everything we can to try and curtail the need for electricity."

John McCain may be stumping about boosting offshore drilling, but his energy proposals also include shifting into alternative fuels for America's vehicles.

In Austin, most city vehicles are powered on renewable or flex fuels, which has saved the city thousands as conventional gas prices have gone up.

"It's just a good model. If we do it, and people see how efficiently we're able to run, and how cost effective it is, then we'll be bringing that message to the community," said Mary Priddy, who is on Austin Energy's Climate Protection Team.