The easiest way to keep your home cool is to prevent it from heating up in the first place. Good insulation, caulking and weather stripping help. Shade trees, overhangs and awnings help, too.

Air conditioning (cooling)

Set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. You can save up to 5-10 percent on cooling costs for every 2 degrees you raise the temperature.
Change HVAC air filter regularly. Air conditioning units with dirty filters can use 5-10% more energy.
Clean the condenser coils: Make sure AC system is off at the thermostat. Then, clean the coils with a garden hose by gently washing in a downward angle (only if on ground).
Clean the evaporator coils: Turn off your AC system - Open the evaporator coil panel - Spray coils with mix of warm water and gentle cleaner - let it sit for about 5 minutes - gently wipe away dirt and debris with a soft cloth.
Use fans instead of central air whenever possible. A fan costs about 90% less to operate. Adjust ceiling fans to turn counterclockwise in the summer to help create a downdraft and direct, cooling breeze.

Appliances

Avoid using oven, stove, dishwasher, dryer, washing machine and other heat-producing appliances during peak hours. Instead, try timing their use early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.
Wash laundry in cold water - 90% of the energy used to wash a load goes toward heating the water, using cold water can save a lot of energy.
Cover food you put in the refrigerator. The compressor works harder to cool moist air, and covered foods limit moisture evaporation.
Clean the coils on the back of your refrigerator (at least annually). This helps the compressor cool faster and run less frequently, reducing energy use and extending the life of the unit.

Turn off/unplug

Turn off bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans about 10 minutes after their job is done to help save energy and prevent cool air from being vented out.
Unplug small appliances and electrical devices when not in use. You can save up to 10% of your monthly energy use by doing this. Some examples include phone chargers, gaming consoles, and laptops.

Use LED bulbs

LED's emit less heat and use less energy.
They use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Windows/doors

Seal any gaps and cracks around doorframes and windows to prevent warm air from entering home.
Keep your windows and doors closed to keep cool air in and hot air out. You can also use shades, drapes, and awnings to block the sun.
Open your windows/doors in the early morning and evenings to allow cool air to flow into your home.

Smart, simple switch

Plug electronics into a power strip to turn off multiple devices with a flip of a switch.
Consider switching to smart power strips. They can cut power off and save energy because they detect when a device is in standby mode.

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