The summer heat is here.  While we are outside enjoying the sun-filled summer days and the warm summer nights, high energy bills seem inevitable.  Whether you are running your air conditioning or using electricity to run fans, here are 10 tips that will help place the power of energy in your hands this summer.

1.  Close all shades, drapes and blinds during the day, especially on the east and west sides of your home.
2. Don’t choose a lower thermostat temperature when you first turn your A/C on.  It won’t cool faster as it will always run as fast as it can.  It will only cool longer, not faster.
3. Use fans when weather is cooler instead of turning on your cooling system.
4. Light up your outdoor grill.  The stove or oven can raise the temperature in your kitchen as much as 10 degrees.
5. Use clothes lines – they are a great alternative to using your clothes dryer. (I know . . . we don’t have clothes lines anymore! Just thought I would remind you back to the day when we had a bag of pegs.)
6. Air-dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s heat cycle.
7. Take shorter showers.  They use less water than a bath!
8. Plant shade trees.  Shade on the east and west is most important.  Outside shade can actually reduce air conditioning costs up to 30%.
9. Delay heat producing chores such as laundry and dish washing until the end of the day.
10. Spend more time outside.  Spending time outside of your home will help curb your energy consumption.