Install window air
conditioners snugly. Insulate spaces around air
conditioners for a tighter fit. An air conditioner with a tight
fit around the windows or wall openings will make less noise and
allow less hot air in from the outside.
Make sure your home is
properly insulated. This will help you to conserve
electricity and reduce your home's power demands for air
conditioning. Weather-strip doors and windowsills to keep cool air
inside, allowing the inside temperature to stay cooler longer.
During a drought,
conserve water by placing a brick, or another large solid object,
in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used in
flushing.
Consider keeping storm
windows installed throughout the year.Storm windows
can keep the heat out of a house in the summer the same way they
keep the cold out in the winter.
Check air-conditioning
ducts for proper insulation. Insulation around ducts
prevents cool air from leaking and keeps it directed through the
vents.
Protect windows.
Hang shades, draperies, awnings, or louvers on windows that
receive morning or afternoon sun. Outdoor awnings or louvers can
reduce the heat entering the house by as much as 80 percent.
Use attic fans.
If you have a fan installed to vent warm air out of your attic,
use the fan to help keep your home cool.