Carolina, area home are cranking up the air conditioning and bracing ourselves for the higher energy bills that inevitably follow. Summer doesn’t have to break the bank, however. Luckily the folks at Duke Energy Progress have come up with a list of ways to save energy and cash while cooling your home.

Many of the ideas below are simple adjustments that can easily be performed by the average homeowner, but if you need help with any of the items on the list, contact one of the professionals at O’Brien Service Company, a Duke Energy Progress Prequalified Contractor. The list below contains energy saving tips for cooling your home:

• Adjust all ceiling fans to ensure a counter-clockwise rotation in the summer.
• Check to make sure exterior doors and windows are tightly closed. Find additional savings by turning off exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms.
• Change or clean system air filters at least once a month to keep everything performing well and running at peak capacity.
• Check the rating of your system in regards to its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). Systems rated at 15 or higher are more efficient, plus owning one could make you eligible for a tax rebate of up to $300.
• Make the savings automatic by setting the thermostat fan switch to the Auto position. This prevents the system from running constantly.
• Block the sun! Shades, blinds and drapes can be used to keep the inside cool. Planting trees or installing awnings can help prevent the sun from producing excess heat within your home.
• Use injected foam insulation to insulate your walls. This will save energy by preventing hot outside air from seeping through porous block walls – check with your local building supply company for details.
• Arrange for a professional to tune-up your system. The impact of an inefficient AC system can be high monthly bills. Getting a tune-up for your system could even get you a tax rebate.
• Open interior doors to allow cooled air to freely circulate throughout your home.
• Repair leaky ductwork to reduce heating and cooling costs and qualify for a tax rebate of up to $120 toward the repairs.
• Install R-30 rated attic insulation and seal any attic leaks to reduce the cost of cooling your home. This will provide monthly savings and qualify you for a tax rebate of $75 or more.
• Check for household leaks to prevent air from escaping through fireplace dampers, doors and windows.
• Decorate for a cooler home. Hanging light-colored curtains will block some of the sun’s rays and still allow light to enter a room. Also, using lighter paint tones will help reflect heat.
• Close air vents that are not in use. With central AC it is advantageous to close air vents in rooms that are rarely in use, to reduce energy costs.
• Use ceiling fans to keep cooling costs at a minimum. Ceiling fans use no more electricity than a standard light bulb. Just be sure to turn them off when you leave – they only provide a cooling effect for people, not rooms.
• Install more ceiling fans. The breeze of a fan can make a person feel three to four degrees cooler, so you can raise the thermostat and remain comfortable.
• Raising the temperature on your thermostat by a few degrees will decrease the amount you have to pay for energy consumption.
• Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature of your system during times when you will not be at home.