| Year Round |
| If you have a second freezer that you use for long-term storage, keep the temperature at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. |
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| Vacuum and clean the condenser coils, motor and evaporator pan of your refrigerator once or twice a year. |
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| A freezer's efficiency is increased by keeping it full. Fill the empty space in your freezer compartment with ice bags, but be sure you don't block the circulating fan. |
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| Directing lighting at a specific area instead of lighting unused areas of the room saves on the cost of bulbs and energy. |
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| Place fixtures as close possible to light-colored walls to take advantage of reflected light. |
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| Spring/Summer |
| When purchasing an air conditioner, look for the energy efficiency rating (EER) on the ENERGYGUIDE label. The higher the ERR, the more efficient the air conditioner. Look for "energy Star" air conditioners because they are at least 20 more efficient than other utilities. |
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| Install ceiling fans or use portable fans to circulate cool air. By using fans, you will be able to raise the air conditioner's thermostat. |
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| Attic fans provide cooling at a much lower cost than air conditioners. |
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| Clean the cooling and condenser fans plus the coils to keep your air conditioner operating efficiently. |
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| When purchasing an air conditioner, be sure to know the size of the area you want to cool. A unit that is too large for a given area will cool the area too quickly, causing the air conditioner to frequently turn itself on and off. |
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| Place your air conditioner in a central window, rather than a corner window, to allow for better air movement. Also, you should consider placing the unit on the north, east or the best-shaded side of your home. Your air conditioner will have to work harder and use more energy if it is exposed to direct sunlight. |
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