By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Step1
Set your air conditioner thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. You can save 1 percent on your energy costs for every one degree you increase your thermostat setting.
Step2
Turn off your air conditioner when no one is at home. Use a programmable thermostat, if possible, to start cooling before you come home.
Step3
Use house fans or ceiling fans instead of air conditioning. Have a whole house fan installed. This fan is permanently installed in your attic and pulls cool air into the home through the windows while forcing hot air out through the attic vents.
Step4
Replace used incandescent bulbs and fixtures with fluorescent lighting.
Step5
Unplug a second refrigerator or other appliances you are not using.
Step6
Pull the shades shut and close the drapes during the heat of the day.
Step7
Cook outside on a grill or use your microwave instead of the stove.
Step8
Hang laundry on a line outside to dry rather than using the clothes dryer.
Step9
Turn off appliances, including TVs and computers, when not in use.
Step10
Turn off lights when you are not in the room.