Use a Timer: If you have a timer on your air conditioner set it to turn off when you leave and then to turn back on a couple minutes before you return to your house. This saves the air conditioner from working while you aren’t home therefore saving you money and energy.

Seal the Unit: Once a room air conditioner is in place, seal the space around it with rope caulk or some other sealant to prevent warm outside air from leaking in.

Close the Fresh-Air Vent: Make sure the fresh-air vent is closed when the room air conditioner is operating so you aren’t cooling outside air. Open the vent when the outside air is cooler to let in fresh air.

Use Fans With Your Air Conditioner: Fans are a great way to circulate air around your room. You can use a fan to spread the cool air that your air conditioner is creating so that the room cools down faster.

Maintain the Furnace: Clean your furnace filters monthly or replace if necessary. A clean unit runs more efficiently.

Cool Only The Rooms in Use: When you have your AC or heater on make sure to close unused rooms to keep the cooled or heated air where you need it the most. By leaving the doors open you are forcing the unit to work to change the entire houses temperature.

Keep Vents Clear: When laying out the furniture in your home make sure to keep the furniture and drapes away from the air vents. This allows the cool air to move out into the rooms and keeps your air conditioner from running more than necessary.

Turn Off Electronics You Are Not Using: When you are done watching T.V. or using your computer make sure to turn them off when you are done because not only do they use more energy and also produce more heat. Extra heat requires more energy to power the air conditioner and increases cooling costs.

Use The Microwave: Cook using your microwave oven rather than your standard oven or range. It creates less heat and humidity in your home also it takes longer for you to pre-heat your stove or oven then when using a microwave oven.

Don’t Make More Heat. If you can, delay chores that produce heat and moisture until the cooler parts of the day or evening. Limit dish washing, laundry and cooking on hot, humid days. These activities make your room more uncomfortable and require your air conditioner to work harder.

Use a single High-Watt Bulb: Instead of using multiple lights or lamps to illuminate a room use one higher powered bulb or lamp. By using simply one bulb which is brighter you save more energy then if you would light multiple bulbs that aren’t as bright.

Control Outdoor Lighting: Leaving out door lights on all day consumes a lot of energy that is not needed. To make sure that your bulb is only on when the sun goes down consider purchasing a photocell or a timer.

Turn Off Lights: Turn off lights when not in use, even if its only for short periods of time when doing this constantly and daily it slowly begins to add up.

Get Your Unit Tuned Up: Have your central air conditioner tuned up by a qualified heating contractor every other year. This can help the unit operate more efficiently and may prevent failures in the middle of peak cooling season.

Keep the Sun Out: Closing blinds, shades and drapes on the sunny side of your home during the day will help keep the house cooler, causing the air conditioner to use less energy in bringing the temperature to a comfortable level.