How to Stay Cool in the Summer Without Raising Your Electric Bill

To keep cooling costs down to a minimum, here are some tips issued by the Energy Efficiency Arkansas.
Set the thermostat in the summertime at 78 degree F. When you are away from home, raise the setting just 10 degrees.

Don’t place warm appliances, such as lamps or TV set, near the thermostat. This makes the air conditioner come on, when the house is not that warm.

Turn off ceiling fans when you are not in the room. Turn up the thermostat a few degrees warmer when you use the ceiling fans.

Shut the shades and drapes on the sunny side of the house. Move furniture away from the registers to prevent blockage of cool air.

Indoor cooking heats up the house. Keep the lids on pots and pans. Use small appliances, such as the toaster oven or microwave.

Seal around windows so that the hot air does not come in.

Change the furnace filters every month.

Air conditioning takes 22% of the average electric bill. Water heating takes about 13% of the bill. Appliances and lights take up about 33% of the electric bill. This information is furnished by the Energy Information Administration.