Summer vacations may have ended, but the summer heat continues. How can you keep your apartment or house cool without breaking the bank on energy costs?

• Keep your cool. Use a ceiling fan. It can make you feel up to 7° F cooler using just a fraction of the energy of even the smallest air conditioner. If you must use an air conditioner, also use the ceiling fan and raise the AC’s thermostat. Each degree above 75° F reduces energy use by 3%. And remember to turn the fan and AC off when you leave home.
   
• Be a star. If you are purchasing a new ceiling fan or window air conditioner, be sure to buy ENERGY STAR®-qualified units to save on energy costs.
   
• Filter in savings. If you use an air conditioner, check its filter every month. If the filter looks dirty, change it. A dirty filter slows air flow and makes the system work harder to keep you cool.
   
• Shade your AC. Also make sure your AC is shaded from the sun. Direct sunshine on the unit’s outdoor heat exchanger decreases its efficiency by as much as 10%.
   
• Block the sun’s heat. Install awnings or screens to keep direct sunlight from entering through windows and sliding glass doors. Close shutters and curtains to block the heat radiating through windows.
   
• Insulate the attic. Make sure you have adequate insulation in the attic to reduce the transfer of heat from your home’s roof into living areas. You can also install a radiant barrier in the attic below the roof decking.
   
• Avoid the oven. To keep your electric or gas oven from heating up your home, use a microwave oven or grill outdoors.
   
• Have bright ideas. Replace incandescent lightbulbs with energy-efficient lighting choices. ENERGY STAR-qualified lighting not only uses less energy, it produces 75% less heat than incandescent lighting.

By avoiding heat gain and being energy efficient, you can keep your home cool while managing your energy costs.