The Summer heat is upon us. You can step out on to your patio in the muggy night air and not hear the chirping of crickets but the hum of air conditioners running nonstop. We've all experienced that "utility shock" that comes with that summertime power bill. Here are a few things you can do that will keep that cash outlay to a minimum.

 

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    1

    Have Your AC System Inspected

    I am willing to bet the last time you had your air conditioning system inspected by a professional HVAC technicians was never. If your system is more than a few years old you could have leaks in your duct work. You could be paying extra money every month to run cool air into your attic. A small expense today could say you hundreds in the coming months.

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    2

    Add Insulation

    If you haven't been to the attic to check the insulation in your home you really should. Insulation is very inexpensive when you amortize its cost over several years. Don't forget to check the places around your home where pipes and or power lines come into your walls. A small gap between a drain pipe and the wall could be costing your money every month. A lot of spray on foams should do the trick and you'll find the expense is minimal.

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    3

    Change Light Bulbs Or Turn The Lights Off

    At our house I think I am the only person who lives there who has mastered the use of the "off" switch when it comes to lights. It's a good habit to get your kids into. Another thing to consider is changing your old fashioned incandescent bulbs for newer, brighter, more efficient LED lights. These lights use a lot less power and they don't put off the heat of the old bulbs.

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    4

    Adjust Your Vents In Rooms You Don't Use

    At our home we discovered that our daughter's closet had its own air conditioning vent. That's not a smart design. We also took an inventory of the rooms we seldom use, such as the guest room. By keeping the door to that room closed and by reducing the air flow out of the vent. You're not cooling as much space. You just need to remember to open the vent before you have guests. Unless of course you don't want them to stay too long.

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    George Frey/ Getty Images
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    5

    Invest In An Automatic Thermostat

    Why should you keep your home at a comfortable temperature when  you're not there? Some security, cable, or utility companies offer online apps or programs you can control from a computer or smartphone. This allows you to program your thermostat to automatically allow the temperatures to be not so cool when no one is home and start the cooling process before you get home. Six or seven hours a day with your AC not running at high speed will save you a bundle.

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