You know it is summer when your home’s air conditioning unit or fans are on most of the day. But that only means increased electricity bills.

Luckily, there are a few other ways to keep cool and your electricity costs down during the hot months.

For starters, Idaho Power offers these suggestions:

  • Close your blinds, especially on the east and west, to block out the warming rays of the sun.
  • Use fans instead of lowering the A/C temperature to maintain comfort in occupied rooms.
  • When temperatures drop (and it’s safe), open windows to cool your home naturally.
  • Minimize the use of indoor, heat-producing appliances like the oven and clothes dryer — use a clothes drying rack and outdoor grill.

A few tips from another source include:

  • Use your ceiling fan, setting it to operate counter clockwise in the summer to create a “wind-chill breeze" effect.
  • Change your bed sheets frequently, and use cotton sheets because they breathe more easily than other types of material.
  • Close the doors of rooms in your home that aren’t being used during the hottest part of the day. (See, Huffington Post)

If you haven’t already tried these tips, you'll have plenty of opportunity to experiment in the coming days and weeks. According to the National Weather Service, temperature highs in south-central Idaho for the next several days are expected to be in the low- to mid-90s, with a forecast of 97 degrees on Friday.

One more piece of advice from Idaho Power:

“A well-sealed home with adequate insulation is the best year-round defense against the weather and higher-than-necessary bills,” reads information from the utility company.

Thermometer Sun 40 Degres. Hot summer day. High Summer temperatures
Marian Vejcik/ThinkStock
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