If you have air conditioning:

• Set the thermostat no lower than 78 degrees F.
• Keep outdoor sections of air conditioning equipment free from shrubbery and other obstructions.
• Make sure that room air registers, both supply and return, are not obstructed by draperies or furniture.
• Install the proper amounts of insulation in your home, and caulk and weather-strip doors and windows. It's just as important to keep heat outdoors during the summer as it is to keep it indoors during the winter.
• Control humidity levels by using kitchen exhaust fans when cooking and bathroom exhaust fans when showering or bathing. Turn off exhaust fans after humidity is cleared to avoid venting cold air.
• Check the air conditioner filter at least once a month, and clean or replace it as necessary.
• Increase attic ventilation. The attic temperature should never exceed 130 degrees F. Consider a power ventilator if you are unable to provide enough natural ventilation.

Other tips to help you keep cool while reducing summer energy bills:

• Keep window shades, Venetian blinds, or draperies closed on the sunny side of the house.
• Keep lamps, television sets, and other heat-producing appliances away from air conditioner thermostats.
• Schedule activities that produce heat and humidity, such as showering or laundry, in the early morning or late evening when outdoor temperatures are generally lower. Avoid doing only partial loads in dishwashers and clothes washers.
• Use the microwave rather than the conventional range for cooking chores.
• Lower the water heater temperature to 120 degrees F., vent the clothes dryer to the outside, and close fireplace dampers to prevent the loss of cooled air.
• Use devices such as awnings, overhangs, and sunscreens to shade windows from the sun.
• Plant shade trees on the south, east, and west sides of your house to provide shade. They also will cool the air as moisture evaporates from their leaves.
• Use light colors to reflect solar heat. Keep this in mind when you select shingles for the roof or paint for the outside walls.