Air conditioners
Let's start with the white elephant in the room -- the air conditioner. Even if you've changed or cleaned your filters this summer, it's a good idea to do it again. Vacuum off debris, then wash them in warm, soapy water; be sure filters are dry before you reinstall them. Do this once a month during the cooling season.
Another trick is to keep your setting at 78 degrees -- cooling area and family members permitting. At that temperature, your air conditioner won't run as frequently. And each degree warmer you set the thermostat saves about two percent in costs. Another cost-saver is setting the timer when you're away so you're not cooling an empty room.
Fans can give your air conditioner a much needed assist. Use a table, box, or ceiling fan to supplement your air conditioning system. Just make sure the ceiling fans are set so the breeze blows downward.
Refrigerators
Because it runs around-the-clock, your refrigerator is the biggest energy hog in the house. You can make sure it runs most efficiently by cleaning the compressor coils every few months. For a tight fit, keep the gaskets on the refrigerator and freezer doors clean by washing them with mild detergent and water, not bleach. If the door isn't closing properly, make sure the refrigerator is level. Most refrigerators have adjustable feet or casters.
And remember what your dad told you when you were a teenager: Decide what you want before you open the door. Up to 30 percent of the cooled air can escape each time you open it.
The bigger your television the more expensive it is to run. You can save money by ... reading a book! (How about "Garcia: An American Life" to commemorate today's 15th anniversary of the death of the Grateful Dead singer.)
Also check your home for electronics and appliances that use "standby" power when not in operation. This feature can eat up $80 a year. While it might not be practical to unplug the items that need reprogramming each time they're plugged back in, you can unplug some of these vampire units.
Household choresTry to avoid running your appliances during peak usage times. This not only saves you money but keeps extra heat in the house to a minimum. If you like to grill, cook outside. If not, use your microwave or other appliances that don't raise your home's overall temperature.
If you have to do the laundry during a hot spell, use cold water. Also sort clothes into piles of items that require the same washing and drying time. If your washer has an extra spin cycle, use it to extract as much water as possible so your dryer has less to do. And be sure to clean the lint from the filter after every load. Or here's a thought: Take advantage of the high temperatures and hang your clothes out to dry.
Cool ideas: Our Energy Saving & Green Living guide and energy-saving at home forum offer more ways to save both money and energy.
You have not reviewed whole house fans. You say these are alternatives to a/c, the largest power use in summer. Refrigerators, at 150 watts, dont come close.
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