Save energy and stay comfortable this summer

      Just as you can cut back on driving to save energy, you also can limit the amount of electricity you use at home by cutting waste. Here are nine ways you can reduce your energy consumption this summer without feeling uncomfortable:

      1. Replace your old, manual thermostat with an electronic model. New thermostats have automatic settings that can slightly change indoor temperatures at strategic times of the day. For example, you can program your thermostat to move the temperature a little higher right after the family leaves the house in the morning, and to lower it again just before everyone gets home

      2. Schedule a tune-up of your air conditioning system. A licensed a/c tech will check the levels of refrigerant in the system and determine whether any of its parts are wearing out or running inefficiently. The better you maintain your system, the less it will cost you to operate it.

      3. Close the blinds during the hours when direct sunlight hits your house. The less sun that shines into your home, the cooler it will stay. That means your air conditioning won’t need to kick on as often.

      4. Run your dishwasher, washing machine and clothes dryer after dark.  Most people do all of that during the day, so demand for electricity soars when they’re also running their air conditioners all day. The result: Electricity costs more during those peak hours. Call your electric cooperative to learn if you qualify for special rates for using less electricity during peak daytime hours.

      5. Turn off the lights, computer, TV and battery chargers. Don’t waste electricity by allowing your appliances to use it when you’re not using your appliances.

      6. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use less energy, last longer and emit less heat.

      7. Air-dry your laundry. Hang clothes outside on a clothesline when the weather is nice. They’ll dry quicker and smell better than they do when you dry them in a clothes dryer.

      8. Microwave your dinner. A microwave oven uses less energy to cook the same food as the cook top or the oven.

      9. Shop smart. If you’re replacing any of your home’s appliances this summer, choose Energy Star-rated models. They’re guaranteed to be more energy-efficient than appliances that don’t qualify for the label.