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Via: defendernetwork.com

The dog days of summer can really put the heat on electricity bills and put even the best air conditioning systems to the test. “The Department of Energy says that almost 45 percent of a homeowner’s utility costs come from heating and cooling the house. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to help lower those costs, keep your system working as it should, and beat the summer heat,” says Dave Quandt, Senior VP of Field Services for American Home Shield, one of the nation’s leading providers of home warranty services.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when summer temperatures start to sizzle:

An air conditioner set at 70°F can cost twice as much to operate as one set at 78°F. Raise the thermostat by 2 degrees above its normal setting. You’ll still be comfortable, and your pocketbook will thank you.

Set the thermostat to 80°F when you’ll be out of the house for several hours and lower it when you return. But don’t shut the air conditioner off; it’s less efficient to cool the house back down than to leave it set at a higher temperature.

A ceiling fan uses about as much energy as a 100-watt bulb, but it can make a room feel up to eight degrees cooler. In summer, blades should turn counterclockwise, pushing air downward to create a cool breeze.

Keeping windows closed and curtains drawn during the day can reduce cooling costs by 30 percent

Lights, computers and televisions all generate heat. Turn them off when they’re not in use.

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