LOW COST WAYS OF SAVING MONEY AND ENERGY

5. During the Summer...

With temperatures rising and cooling systems running for longer periods of time, it's the ideal time to take control of your electric bills.

• Set your thermostat on the highest comfortable setting. If you're leaving for the day, turn it up a couple of degrees.  Do not turn your cooling system off unless you'll be gone for an extended period of time.  
• Clean or change your filters monthly.  Dirty filters can increase operating costs by 20 percent.  Don't block registers and return vents with furniture or drapes.    
• Use a ceiling fan or portable fan to supplement your air conditioning.  A fan can make you feel three to four degrees cooler (and only costs a half-cent per hour to operate) so you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher and save on cooling costs.  Use in occupied rooms since fans cool people, not rooms.  As a safety precaution, turn off ceiling fans when you leave your home.
• For central air conditioning systems, keep the fan switch on your thermostat in the "auto" position when cooling.  This gives you better cooling and humidity control.
• Close blinds, drapes and shades during the hottest part of the day.  This keeps the sun's rays from heating the inside of your house.  
• If you suspect your air conditioning system is not cooling properly, have it checked promptly.  A unit that is having operational problems can cause extremely high bills.
• If your air conditioning equipment is older and less efficient, compensate by being extra careful about temperature settings, hours of operation and filter condition.
    
• Use your microwave or countertop appliances for cooking instead of the oven or stove.    
• Make sure your home is properly insulated.  In existing homes, wall insulation may be too expensive to install, so concentrate on attic, ceiling and floor insulation.