12 ways to cut power bills and stay cool this
summer
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| By Dana Dratch • Bankrate.com |
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Summer means fun in the sun, kids out of school and big power bills.
The air conditioning that makes summer livable in
many parts of the country comes at a steep price. According to EPA
statistics, "heating and cooling costs make up 49 percent of
the average energy bill," says Maria Vargas, spokeswoman for
the EPA's Energy Star program.
But
there are a few ways that you can keep your cool without a sky-high power bill.
"The real opportunity for people to save the
most is through improved efficiency in the home," says Vargas.
"The average family spends $1,900 a year on energy bills."
Homeowners can save 30 percent of that
just by being
more efficient with their energy use, she says.
So enjoy the lazy summer days without getting crazy
over the bills. Here's how.
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| 12 ways to cut cooling costs | ![]() |
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| Summer heat means higher energy bills. But you can
trim those costs if you're willing to change a few habits. Here are 12 ways to
lower your cooling costs. | | |  |
|
1.
Use a programmable thermostat. Consumers buy them and even install them.
The one thing they often neglect to do? Program and use them, says Vargas.
When you do, you stand to save about $150 a year,
says Vargas. How it works: You program your home to cooler temperatures
when you're home and warmer settings when you're not there. Since
you're only cooling a room when you're there, you save money, says
Vargas. Typically, the gadgets run about $50 to $100, and some local
power companies are giving them to customers free.
2.
Enjoy more summer fare. Skip cooking and you not only save time, you also
don't heat up the house. Grill out, cook twice the amount you normally would and
save the extra for the next night's heat-free meal, says Debra Ponzek, co-author
of "The Summer House Cookbook." Turn leftover grilled
chicken or beef into a salad, quesadilla or panini. Extra grilled vegetables can
go into salads and pasta, which require minimum cooking time, she says. If
you're short on time, you can pick up precooked salmon or shrimp at the store.
"Toss it with something cool and light" for a summer salad, Ponzek says. | 
