Clean or replace air filters regularly. Keep outside units free of leaves or debris that may clog vents. Interference with the free flow of air makes the unit work harder and cost more to operate.

Move any obstructions that may be blocking the flow of heated or cooled air from vents or from individual heating or air conditioning units.

Consider the advantages of a clock thermostat for your heating system. The clock thermostat will turn the heat down for you automatically at a regular hour before you retire and turn it up again before you wake. While you can easily turn your thermostat back at night and up again in the morning yourself, the convenience of a clock thermostat may be worth the $40 to $90 investment.

Open the windows instead of using your air conditioner or electric fan on cooler days and during cooler hours.

Keep out daytime sun with vertical louvers or awnings on the outside of your windows, or draw draperies, blinds, and shades indoors.

Don’t place lamps or television sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. Heat from these appliances is sensed by the thermostat and could cause the air-conditioner to run longer than necessary.

Energy-efficient water heaters initially may cost a little more, but reduced operating costs can make up for the higher outlay.

Take short showers and use water-saving shower heads to reduce hot water consumption.

Don't let the water run unnecessarily while you brush your teeth or shave.

Turn off the lights in any room that is not in use and switch to energy-saving halogen bulbs.

When using the oven, make the most of the heat from that single source. Cook as many foods as you can at one time.

Don't open the oven door excessively and release the stored heat.

What Causes a High Electric Bill?

Your air conditioning or electric heating bill can be greatly reduced by:

• Using blinds or shades for large windows situated in the east or west sides of the house. Installing awnings on windows and front and back porches also decreases energy consumption. Casement windows ventilate better than awning or jalousie windows. Jalousie windows are the most difficult of the three to seal.
• Not heating or cooling an unused room more than necessary. Note: In a heat pump or air conditioning system, most of the air supply vents should remain at least partially open to avoid possible damage to the system.
• Keeping your fireplace damper closed unless you have a fire going. An open damper in a 48-inch square fireplace can let up to 8 percent of your heat out the chimney.

HEATING Energy Savers

• Set your thermostat as low as possible. Sixty-eight degrees is often recommended as a reasonably comfortable and energy-efficient indoor temperature. You can save on your fuel costs for every degree you reduce the average temperature in your home.
• Keep draperies and shades open in sunny windows; close them at night.
• Don’t turn the heat on until you have to. On cool evenings, use your fireplace instead (if you have one) and add an extra blanket at night.
• Insulate accessible heating ducts in unheated areas.
• For comfort in cooler indoor temperatures, use the best insulation of all -- warm clothing. A light long-sleeved sweater equals almost 2 degrees in added warmth; a heavy long-sleeved sweater adds about 3.7 degrees; and two lightweight sweaters add about 5 degrees in warmth because the air between them serves as insulation to keep in more body heat.

COOLING Energy Savers

• Dress for warmer indoor temperatures. Casual clothes of lightweight open-weave fabrics are most comfortable.
• Overcooling is expensive and wastes energy. Don’t use or buy more cooling equipment capacity than you actually need.
• Install air conditioning units on the north or shady side of the house.
• Set your thermostat as high as possible. Seventy-eight degrees is often recommended as a reasonably comfortable and energy-efficient indoor temperature. (Every degree counts -- lowering the thermostat to 76 degrees increases energy consumption by 35 percent.)
• Turn off the air-conditioning unit when there are no occupants in the home, and use ventilating fans to cool the house. Ceiling fans make you feel 2-4 degrees cooler and may postpone the need for air conditioning.
• Make sure the ducts in your air conditioning system are properly sealed and insulated, especially those that pass through the attic or other uncooled spaces.
• The condenser coil of central air and heat units should be cleaned periodically with a garden hose.
• Keep your cooling system well tuned with periodic maintenance by a professional serviceman.
• Install a whole-house ventilating fan in your attic or in an upstairs window to cool the house when it’s warm outside, even if you have central air conditioning.

HOT WATER Energy Savers
Heating water accounts for about 20 percent of all the energy we use in our homes. Don’t waste it!

• Repair leaky faucets promptly.
  
• Do as much household cleaning as possible with cold water.
  
• Insulate your hot water storage tank and piping.
  
• Install aerators and low-flow showerheads.
  
• Buy a water heater with thick insulation and use an insulation blanket.
• Wash full loads when using an automatic dishwasher or washing machine.
• If the day is nice, hang out your clothes to dry.

Household Appliances
The golden rule is, "If you are not using it, turn it off!" About 30 percent of the average consumer’s electric bill results from use of these appliances:

Operating appliances in an efficient manner will not only save money, but will increase the longevity of those appliances.

The Refrigerator

• Clean the condenser coils behind or underneath your refrigerator every six months.
  
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer at the correct temperature.
  Note: The refrigerator should be at 36-42 degrees, and the freezer should be at 0-10 degrees.
  
• Test with a refrigerator thermometer and adjust temperature control accordingly.
  
• All doors on the system should seal tightly. Replace seals if necessary.
  
• Keep refrigerator and freezer full.
  
• The refrigerator should be as far away as possible from the stove.
  
• Keep the door closed.
  
• Defrost refrigerator when frost builds up to one-quarter inch thick.
  

The Oven

• Make full use of the oven when it is heated.
  
• Reduce oven temperatures 25 degrees when using glass cookware.
  
• Don’t use a range-top burner that is too large for the pot.
  

Microwave Oven

• The microwave oven saves money because it requires less energy.
  

The Pool Pump

• Reduce the operating time of your pool pump to 6-8 hours in the summer, and 4-6 hours in the winter.
  
• Empty the skimmer basket frequently.
  
• Clean the pool every week, and maintain the proper chemical balance.