4 Tips for Cooling Down Your Energy Bills

You know August is approaching when temperatures are heating up and air conditioners seem to be constantly humming. Staying cool is on everyone's mind.

But many home owners are equally concerned about how they can cut down on their energy consumption and reduce their monthly cooling bills.

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has a few suggestions:

* Clean or replace air filters in air-conditioning units to keep cool air moving a reduce electricity consumption.

* Have an air conditioner tune-up performed by a qualified contractor.

* Make sure your attic, which traps a lot of hot air, is adequately insulated.

* Replace old equipment. A new high-efficiency unit not only pares down utility bills; it can help you qualify for a federal income tax credit. But before you buy something new, do your research. “Often people are so desperate to replace their equipment that they don’t take the time to research the investment, locking themselves into high cooling bills and less comfort,” said ACEEE researcher Katie Ackerly.

For more information log on to www.energytaxincentives.org/consumers.

— By Camilla McLaughlin for REALTOR® Magazine Online