Being green and cheap doesn't mean sacrificing comfort it just means finding a better way to do it! Now its time to cut those energy costs while still staying cool this summer.

• Try whole-house fans help cool your home by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic. They are effective when operated at night and when the outside air is cooler than the inside.
• Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
• Use a programmable thermostat. it will allow you to set the A/C to a warmer temp when you are not at home to save electricity.
  
• Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your A/C. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense.
• Consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window A/C to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use.
• Don't place lamps or TV sets near your A/C thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the A/C to run longer than necessary.
• Plant trees or shrubs to shade A/C units but not to block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.
  
• Consider planting a large deciduous tree on the southern side of your home. The leaves will shade your home in the summer and when the leaves fall will allow the sun to warm it in the winter