For every degree you raise the thermostat during the summer months, you can expect to cut your cooling costs by at least 3 percent.

What you can do

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  Keep it moderate: Turn down the heat in the winter, and turn down the cool in the summer.
• Give the air conditioner a rest: Lower the shades and raise the windows. At night, if the forecast calls for cooler temperatures and low humidity, give the AC a rest. Open windows upstairs and down, and use window fans or a whole-house fan.
• Use fans: Put a spin on home cooling. You can operate a couple of fans with a fraction of the electricity needed for air conditioning, and their cooling effect may make it possible to cut back on AC use.
• Clean your filters: Take care of your air conditioner and furnace, and it will take care of you. Check the furnace or air conditioner (AC) filter each month, and clean or replace it as needed. Dirty filters block air flow through your heating and cooling systems, increasing your energy bill and shortening the equipment's life.
• Turn down the hot water: Spend less for hot water. Set the hot water heater at 120° F (or the "low" setting), which is hot enough for most needs. If the tank feels warm to the touch, consider wrapping it with conventional insulation or a blanket made for that purpose. To help conserve the water's heat on its way to the faucets, insulate the plumbing with pipe sleeves; with these, you can raise the end-use temperature by 2° to 4° F.

For More Information

• Heating and Cooling Go Green: HGTv discusses way to reduce your home heating and cooling costs.

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