As consumers struggle to deal with heat and its effect on their budgets, they wonder: Can little things like setting the thermostat a few degrees higher than normal make a difference in the bottom line?

Utility companies and organizations like The Alliance to Save Energy, a coalition of business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who advocate energy efficiency, claim it can. Most, for example, recommend setting the thermostat on your air conditioning units to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. For each degree you raise the thermostat, you’ll save three percent to five percent on cooling costs.

Plug in a strong fan to help circulate the cool air throughout your living space. Fans consume less energy than lowering the temperature on the air conditioner. Ceiling, paddle, and portable fans produce air motion across your skin that increases evaporative cooling. A moderate breeze of one to two miles an hour can extend your comfort range by several degrees. Whole house and evaporative fans can reduce your air conditioning costs by 50 percent or more, but are only effective if you live in a dry climate–one with less than 40 percent humidity.

Cooling puts the greatest stress on your energy bill and the power grid. To minimize costs:

• Use discretion–don’t get in the habit of turning on the air conditioner automatically. Turn it on only when you really need it–and only in the rooms you need it. Consider room units instead of central air conditioning. And no matter which option you chose, either turn it off when you leave home or use a programmable thermostat.
• From a pure conservation perspective, it’s better to turn off an air conditioner–whether it’s a central system or a room unit–rather than let it run when you leave home for an extended period, the Alliance to Save Energy explains. Comfort, however, is another thing altogether. Depending on the size and location of your home, it can take time for it to cool down again–and turning the thermostat on the air conditioner to 50 degrees won’t cool it down any faster.
• In that case, you can set your thermostat for savings either manually or by using a programmable thermostat. Just raise your home’s usual temperature setting by at least seven degrees when you’re away and four degrees when you’re asleep.
• If you have a programmable thermostat, use the “Vacation” or “Hold” features to manage temperatures while you’re away from home for an extended period.
• Keep your air conditioning equipment in good shape. Have a professional tune-up once a year and seal the edges of room air conditions with weather stripping or insulation.
• Clean air conditioner filters at least once a month. Clean them weekly or biweekly during periods of high use and replace the filters if they’re worn or clogged. Follow manufacturers instructions; some can be rinsed with a garden hose. Some can be vacuumed. Dirt build-up on the indoor coil is the single most common cause of poor operating efficiency.
• If you’re planning to invest in a new central air conditioning system, make sure the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is 14 or higher.
• A room air conditioner’s efficiency is measured by the energy efficiency ratio (EER). If you’re buying a new room air conditioner, look for units with an EER of 10.0 or higher.
• Get the right size air conditioner for the job. Poorly sized air conditioning units can inflate your energy costs and contribute to poor indoor air quality. You can estimate which size unit is right for your cooling needs here.
• To cut your energy bills by 30 percent, look for the Energy Star label, the symbol for energy efficiency, when shopping for room air conditioners, major appliances, lighting, windows, home electronics, and office equipment. Find retailers near you on the Energy Star website.
• Install mini-blinds or sunshade screen or solar film on your windows to cut down the sunlight getting indoors. Mini-blinds can reduce heat gain from direct sunlight by 40 percent to 50 percent. You can also hang bamboo shades or tightly woven screens outside your windows, which stops up to 80 percent of the sun’s heat from getting through the windows.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. The CFLs last six to 10 times longer than traditional lighting and generate 70 percent less heat.
• Humidity makes room air feel warmer, so reduce indoor humidity. Minimize mid-day washing and drying clothes, showering, and cooking. Make sure your dryer is vented to the outside, and check that all your bathroom fans are working properly. Try to get everyone to limit showers to five minutes. It cuts humidity and saves water, too.
• If the attic isn’t already insulated or is under-insulated, insulate it now. Upgrading from three inches to 12 inches can cut cooling costs by 10 percent. It will also pay off next winter. For more information, see the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association’s consumer web site.

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