Source: KNOWAtlanta Magazine

• Turn off lights, television and all unnecessary electrical appliances when you leave the room.
• Naturally light your rooms by opening the curtains or blinds instead of turning on the lights.
• Don’t leave windows/doors open while the air conditioning is running. It makes the AC have to work harder to cool the house.
• Turn off the dishwasher right before the drying cycle and let the dishes air dry.
• Decide what you want before you open the refrigerator door. Don’t just leave the door open.
• Use heat-generating appliances during cooler nighttime hours.
• Avoid meals that require preheating the oven and microwave as much as possible.
• Use fans whenever possible.
• Check your hot water heater’s temperature by filling a glass of hot water from your sink. The temperature should not exceed 120 degrees.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs when possible - they only use one-quarter as much energy as regular light bulbs.
• Change air filters at the beginning of each heating and cooling season.
• Keep your thermostat set at the highest possible comfortable setting. Try for 78 degrees.
• Only cool the room you need; close vents and doors of unused rooms.
• Vacuum the back and bottom of the outside of your refrigerator. Removing clogged dust lets air flow more efficiently.
• Place large pieces of furniture on the outside walls to increase insulation.
• Check your windows and doors for air leaks. Proper insulation can make a huge difference in maintaining a cool house in the summer.