Beat the heat, save money with these tips

As temperatures continue to swell, some easy adjustments could keep your utility costs in check.

Xcel Energy sent out some tips to help, noting that home cooling can account for about half of a summertime electric bill.

You can get the most out of your cooling by:

• Installing a programmable thermostat that raises the setting when the house is empty and lowers it to a comfortable level when everyone comes home.
• Using ceiling fans to circulate cool air throughout the home.
• Opening interior doors to improve the circulation of cool air inside.
• Using a whole-house or attic fan to draw in cool nighttime air and push out hot air during the day.
• Changing air conditioner filters and having air conditioner coils cleaned to improve efficiency.
• Closing drapes and blinds during the heat of the day.

You also can reduce your overall bills by:

• Turning off lights and electronics when they’re not in use.
• Replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs, which use 75 percent to 80 percent less energy than traditional bulbs and last 15 percent longer.
• Running washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers with full loads and only after the heat of the day. This helps keeps the house cooler and reduces strain on the electric grid.

Learn more about Xcel Energy’s residential energy savings tips here. The utility provider also offers incentives and rebates that customers can use to make their homes and businesses more efficient. Learn more about those programs here.