6/30/10

The rule of thumb when replacing an air conditioning unit is to replace it every 12 years. Buying a new unit that is Energy Star qualified can help you save money on your energy bill with increased efficiency. To help you remember when you bought an air conditioner, use a permanent marker to write the month and year somewhere inconspicuous.

6/29/10

One of the easiest ways to reduce cooling costs during the summer months is to have large trees casting shade onto the home. But, of course, it takes time and lots of work to plant trees around a home. A quick fix is to place container trees around sunny windows; they'll still do the job, and the trees will love the warm, sunny rays. In the fall months, bring the trees indoors as houseplants.

6/28/10

The Environmental Protection Agency says there are simple ways to save money when keeping your home cool during hot summer months. One easy way is to just increase your thermostat by 2 degrees and turn on ceiling fans. You can lower your cooling costs by 14 percent with this one step. When you leave the room, make sure to turn the fans off, so the fans cool you, not the room.