When the heat of summer hits, it’s tempting to want to crank the thermostat to the lowest setting possible, but there are other ways to stay cool while keeping your comfort and energy bill in check.

Choosing energy efficient habits during warmer weather will help you prepare for periods of extreme heat and peak electricity demand. By reducing your usage during the hottest hours of the day, from 2-9 p.m., you’ll take the stress off your air conditioner and conserve energy when it matters most.

• Set your thermostat 4° higher when away for more than 4 hours.
• Raise your thermostat 2 to 3° from 2-9 p.m. and use fans to feel 4-6° cooler.
• Run your dishwasher and washing machine after the sun goes down.
• Use a timer on your pool pump to prevent it from continuously running.
• Reduce heat gain by up to 33% with blinds and drapes that block out the sun.
• Avoid phantom loads — the energy that a device is consuming when it’s powered off but still plugged into any outlet —by unplugging all electronics that aren’t in use.
• Weatherstrip exterior doors and windows to keep the heat trapped out.
• Turn off lights in vacant rooms, offices and workspaces.
• Only turn on lights in areas where you need them instead of lighting the entire room.
• Cook outdoors to avoid raising the heat levels throughout the house.

You don’t have to wait until electricity demand is high to reduce your usage. We’ve got tips and tricks to help you optimize your energy efficiency and save on your electricity costs.

• Improve indoor air quality, promote energy efficiency, and prolong the life of your air conditioner with regular A/C tune ups.
• Change you’re A/C filters every 30 days for peak performance.
• Charge your devices before bed instead of having them charge overnight to save energy.
• Dry heavy and light laundry separately so that everything dries evenly or hang them outside to dry.
• Keeping your freezer full will help it to cool better as the cold air is distributed more evenly.
• Ensure that your water heater is set to 120°F for optimal efficiency.
• Have your HVAC system serviced before spring every year.
• Inspect your attic insulation to ensure that it isn’t wet, moldy or damaged, which results in more A/C usage.
• Seal any gaps, tears or other openings in your ductwork that may be letting cool air escape.