1. Efficient Air Conditioning – In addition to having a yearly AC check-up done by a trusted professional, you can clean the air conditioning filters monthly yourself. A little maintenance now can prevent major problems later and help cut your utility bills. Close doors to unused rooms and those leading to other floors, to keep cool air up and warm air from falling.

2. Cool Air Loss Prevention – No point in running the AC 24/7 if it all goes right out the window, or just as bad, from around the window. Check for air leaks around baseboards, windows (older wooden windows are particularly prone), doors, light switches & electrical sockets; and seal them with foam or caulking. Get an all-season home inspection from a professional home inspector to determine which areas of your home require better insulation and sealant.  This preventative measure will help with heating loss and it’s associated costs in the winter months as well.

3. Programmable Thermostat – Set your programmable thermostat in the summer/winter months. In the summer, turning the AC up few degrees during the daytime if people are at work, or in the winter, turning the heat down a few degrees at night in when people are asleep should keep you on an even keep temperature-wise.

4. Lighting – When your light bulbs burn out, replace them with compact fluorescent bulbs. They not only save $ on electricity bills, they generate less heat which has a positive impact on air conditioning demands in the hot summer months. And keep your curtains, shutters and shades drawn during the day to reduce glare and heat coming into your home.

5. Turn it Off – While we’re on the topic of lighting, remember to turn off the lights when you leave the room. Unplugging and/or turning off any electronic devices when they are not needed (televisions, radios, digital photo frames, computers, recharging units for batteries etc.) will reduce unnecessary electricity demand and utility bills.

6. Energy Efficient Replacements – When that worn-out or just plain out of date television set has given it’s all, replace it with an energy efficient model. Older televisions (and electronics and appliances in general) typically consume more energy than new ones. If your air conditioning  unit has conked out completely and you need to replace it, look for a unit with a energy efficiency ratio of 16 to 21, the highest level of efficiency. Your initial investment will pay off in the long term with utility/energy savings.

7. Cool it in the Kitchen – Turning the oven on for baking or meal preparation in the summer months puts a real strain on your AC….not to mention the chef; and do you really feeling like eating a hot meal when the temperature is sizzling already? Toaster ovens, slow cookers and fry pans are a better bet, and of course, who doesn’t love a barbecue outdoors when the weather’s fine?

8. Fans are Fine – Speaking of fine….although fans do use electricity, they channel the cool air further and can reduce the demand on air conditioning units. Ceiling fans in bedrooms and fans in general, will bring added comfort without added cost.

9. Landscaping – Planting shade trees and shrubs in the right location around  your home is a long term solution that can help to reduce cooling costs in the years to come. And they look great too!

Stay cool!