Conservation - Spring/Summer - Stay cool for less

Keeping your home comfortable can cost plenty, especially in the hot Texas summer. Try these tested tips to save money and stay comfortable.

Set the air conditioning thermostat at 78 degrees or higher. Save more by raising the setting to 85 degrees when you’re out for at least four hours.
Use ceiling fans or portables. Moving air feels four to six degrees cooler.
Block the sun. Save on cooling costs by closing drapes during the day or adding energy-efficient windows. Solar screens on west-facing windows also keep the sun at bay.
Ventilate the attic. Proper ventilation reduces temperature and prevents moisture buildup, so the air conditioner does not have to work as hard.
Turn off or replace lights. Most energy from incandescent bulbs becomes heat. Compact fluorescent bulbs use 75 to 80 percent less energy and produce less heat.
Zap it. Use the microwave rather than the oven if you do cook. Consider chilled foods, too.
Add shade. Add trees and shrubs on the east, west and south sides to cut cooling costs. Shade air conditioning units, but leave room for air to flow.

Saving comfortably year-round

Program it. Install a programmable thermostat, and set it to cool the house before you get there. Save up to 15 percent on cooling costs.
Stop leaks into and out of the home. Check your ducts for leaks, and seal them with mastic tape if needed. Caulk and weather-strip windows, doors and pipe clearances. A few dollars here can save 10 percent on cooling costs.

Insulate attic, walls and crawl space. Higher R-values keep more cool air in during summer and warm air in during winter.

WHAT IS R-VALUE?

It is a measure of the capacity of a material to resist heat transfer. (Specifically, the R-Value refers to the reciprocal of the conductivity of a material, called the U-Value.) The important thing to know is the larger the R-Value of a material, the greater its insulating properties. Learn more about proper insulation from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Let air flow. Clean or replace air filters regularly for efficient air exchange.
Add trees and shrubs for year-round benefits. Deciduous trees that lose their leaves provide shade in summer and let the sun warm your home during winter. Evergreens on the north side offer a windbreak during winter. Don’t plant near power lines.
Give "old faithful" a checkup. Have a licensed air conditioning contractor check to make sure your unit is in good condition for summer. If necessary, replace the unit with a newer, more efficient model.