This story was originally published on AOL on June 27, 2008.

SUMMER TEMPERATURES ARE on the rise — and your electric bill isn't far behind.

Cranking up the air conditioning may help you stay cool, but you can expect some chilling summer energy bills as a result. A homeowner in Arizona pays roughly $212 just to run one standard room air conditioner for 1,000 hours over the course of a summer (that's about 11 hours a day). For central air, they pay an estimated $484, according to the government's Energy Star program.

Thanks to rising prices for the raw materials used to produce electricity — oil, coal and natural gas — those estimates might actually be low, says Ronnie Kweller, a spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that promotes energy efficiency. The group recently raised its projection for annual electricity costs to $2,350 from $2,200 per household. Heating and cooling the home account for half of that amount, or about $1,200 a year. "If you can cut even 10% from your bill, that's hundreds of dollars saved," says Kweller.

Here's how to reduce your air-conditioning use — and your electricity bills — this summer without breaking a sweat:

1) Reduce your home's heat load

Eliminate heat-generating sources inside your home and you may not need to rely on the air conditioner as much, says Jennifer Thorne Amann, a senior associate at American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Close the shades on windows that get a lot of direct sunlight, and refrain from running appliances that generate heat, such as the oven, dishwasher or clothes dryer, during the hottest parts of the day. And make sure to switch your incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient compact fluorescent ones. "Every incandescent bulb in your house is a little extra heater," says Amman. "CFLs use less energy and release less heat." Take these steps and you can set the thermostat two degrees warmer, saving about $4 a month.

2) Make sure your unit is in top shape

"Even if you have the most efficient [air-conditioning] system, if it's not operating the way it should, you're wasting energy," says Maria Vargas, a spokeswoman for the government's Energy Star program. Problems like a worn-out filter or unsealed duct won't keep your A/C from working, but they could make the unit as much as 20% less efficient. Typically, an inspection from a licensed contractor costs about $50, an expense you should easily recoup in energy savings by Labor Day. (A unit operating back at peak efficiency again could cut as much as $20 a month from your electricity bill.) On your own, clean or replace air filters at least once a month. "That cuts down how hard the fan has to work to move air throughout your home," explains Vargas.

3) Turn back the thermostat

There's no point in keeping the air conditioning on full blast when no one's home to enjoy it. Turn the thermostat higher while you're at work or asleep, advises Kweller. Setting it five degrees higher for an eight-hour period each day shaves 10% from your monthly bill. You don't have to come home to a space that's as sweltering inside as it is outside, either. "Program the air conditioner to kick in at the more comfortable temperature just before you get home," she says.

4) Use a fan

Set your ceiling fan to its counterclockwise mode. "That pushes the cool air down and redistributes the warm air," says Vargas. Or use other types of fans to create a breeze. The result: The room feels about two degrees cooler. Adjust the thermostat accordingly, and you'll save another $4 per month. Just be sure to turn the fan off when you leave the room, cautions Amann. "Fans don't cool rooms — they cool people," she says.

5) Seal up your home

Sad but true: At least some of that chilled air your system generates isn't going to stay inside. Cracks along window and door frames, attic eaves and electrical outlets enable it to escape — and force your air conditioner to work much harder to maintain a cool temperature, says Amann. The equivalent of leaving a window open all year, such leaks can tack on another 20% to your bill. Seal everything up with some caulk, insulation and weather-stripping for as little as $50. Doing so could help cut your annual energy bill by as much as $470.

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