How-to cut air conditioning bills

Use ceiling or pedestal fans to help circulate air. This will enable you to set air conditioning thermostats at a higher temperature to save money.

The changes in weather patterns in recent years have virtually eliminated the moderate seasons in many areas of the country. It often seems that one is turning on the air conditioning to cool off from blazing temperatures immediately following the last day of having the heat on to chase away a chill.

What this often equates to is homeowners having little relief from high energy bills, but it doesn't have to. There are some steps any homeowner can take to save energy and tame utility bills. When making a list of spring improvements, take into consideration the following ideas, courtesy of LIPA, the Long Island Power Authority:

+ Regular maintenance will prolong the life of an air conditioner (whether a window unit or central system). Change the filter at least once per month during peak season. You can also check your owner's guide to find out how to safely clean the condenser coils and fins on the outside of the unit or have a professional service it.

+ Try to place your air conditioner on a north- or east-facing area of your property, or a very shaded spot. This will use Mother Nature to its advantage, placing the unit in a spot that won't face the strongest afternoon sun.

+ Properly size your air conditioning unit to your room or home size. If it is too small, it will be on constantly, never adequately cooling the space. If it is too large, it will waste energy turning on and off frequently.

+ On very hot days, you can save energy by closing the fresh air intake on your unit. Cooling fresh, warm outside air requires more electricity than re-cooling the air that is already circulating in your home.

+ Don't cool rooms that aren't occupied or used frequently. For example, perhaps your finished basement is naturally cool; close air vents in the basement to circulate the air where it is needed more.

+ Depending on the size of your home, you can save 3 percent on your cooling costs for every degree you raise your thermostat in the summer. Raising the thermostat from 73 to 78 degrees can mean savings of up to 15 percent in cooling costs.

+ Improved air circulation will cool your home better and faster. Employ pedestal or ceiling fans to help circulate cooled air. Also, a hot attic can trap warm air under the roof and make it harder to cool the interior of the home. Consider installing an attic exhaust fan to vacate hot, stale air.

+ On the hottest days, minimize cool air leakage by using storm windows to trap the cool air in. Minimize the amount of time you open and shut outside doors, and draw the blinds or curtains to keep hot sunlight out.

+ You can also do your part by cooking, doing laundry, showering and taking care of other tasks that would normally add heat or humidity to the home in the early morning or late evening hours.

+ Consider installing a retractable awning that can cover an outdoor patio or deck during the hottest parts of the day. Shade-producing trees can also buffer midday sun.

+ Home centers sell reflective films that can be used on windows to screen out the hot rays of the sun without compromising on light entering the home.

+ Continue managing electricity bills by using lights sparingly during hot days.

+ Run your laundry using cold water. Today's detergents are specially formulated to work just as good in cold water as hot. Washing only heavily soiled clothing in hot water will save energy and also keep your home cooler.

For more general ideas on conserving energy, visit www.lipower.org or your local power supplier's Web site.