Reducing your energy bills is easier than you might think. Here's a handy list to follow:

Place furniture away from the air conditioner and/or vents so nothing blocks the unit from performing efficiently. Perform a thorough inspection of your home to determine if there are any cracks or leaks or unnecessary openings. Examine windows, doors, ceilings, porch area, roof, air conditioning unit(s), fireplace, cable holes. Seal up every crack, leak or opening you can find using caulk or weatherstripping as needed. Remember- these openings can cause a loss of cool air in summer, forcing your air conditioning unit to work harder and resulting in higher electric bills. Make sure the fireplace damper is fully shut when not using the fireplace. The damper can be a source of energy loss in summer as well as in winter. Keep drapes and curtains open to capture the sun’s heat and reduce the need for electric lighting. Change filters and clean air conditioning units frequently to ensure peak efficiency. As little as three well placed trees can lower the heat in your home and help save you anywhere from $100-$250 in energy bills this season. Install white blinds, drapes, curtains since white reflects heat away from your home. Close curtains on the south side and west side of your home during the day. Don't place lamps or TV sets or any appliance that generates heat near your air conditioning thermostat. Clean dirt from heating system at end of season to avoid trapping moisture which can shorten a heater's life. When turning on the air conditioner, don't set thermostat at a colder setting than normal. It won't cool off the rooms faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense. Using an interior fan along with your air conditioner can help the cool air circulate more efficiently.