10 Ways to Save Energy and Keep Your Air Conditioning Bill Down

A heat wave is spoiling or torturing (your pick) us across the nation, and many are wondering how to keep that air-conditioning bill down with the high temperatures outside.

Here are 5 tricks and 5 smart products to keep you cool while keeping the air-conditioning costs down.

10 Ways to Keep Your Home Cool

1. Turn the air-conditioning to low when you leave the house, do not turn it entirely off - it will use more energy to cool down the house again when you come back home.

2. Don't cook using your oven for long periods - this will increase the temperature in your kitchen, and use unnecessary energy because your air-conditioning will have to work harder to keep the house cool. Turn your outdoors into a living room instead and do some grilling for meals.

3. Switch your regular light bulbs for fluorescent light bulbs. They use less energy and keep your energy bill lower and they release less heat keeping your air-conditioning in check too.

4. Keep the cool air in and hot air out by making sure your windows and doors are insulated well.

5. Simple trick, big difference - replace your A/C filter monthly. A dirty filter will make your air conditioner work harder and use more energy.

6. Ceiling fans use significantly less energy than air conditioning, and there are several stylish looking ones on the market that will also make a design statement in your room.

7. Window air conditioning units are for some, but I can not live with the look. I prefer table fans, those retro-looking ones that look like they are part of the decor.

8. Your roof might affect your air conditioning bill, especially a very dark one. Consider adding a reflective cover to your roof, it will keep some of the heat off.

9. Blinds, roller blinds, curtains - install light blocking window coverings to keep the sunlight out. Cover the windows during the day time, it takes less energy to use indoor lighting than run that A/C!

10. Use a power strip - and unplug devices when not in use. Appliances and gadgets use energy and generate heat when they are attached to a power source, lower the energy usage and lower the heat and unplug away.

Products in the pictures: table fan from Sears, ceiling fan Fanaway, blinds IKEA