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Local Finance How to reduce your cooling costs Is keeping your home cool this summer breaking the bank? Here are a few tips that may help you reduce your energy costs. • Maintain your air conditioner. It only takes a few minutes and a garden hose to spray off any dust or debris that may have settled on your condenser, the part of your air conditioning unit that is located outside your home. Be sure to power off the unit before giving it a good rinse. Doing so about once a month will keep it clean, so the unit doesn't have to work harder than necessary. • Make sure your condenser has room to breath by keeping the area around it clear of shrubs and other vegetation or objects. • Install a programmable thermostat and set it at 78 degrees during the times you're home and at 85 degrees during the hours you are away from home. Also, close the curtains or shades on the south and west facing windows. And, turn on ceiling and table fans when you enter a room — and off when you leave it. • Cook outdoors or in the microwave instead of in your regular oven. Your cooling system has to remove any heat that's generated in your home. So, the less heat you create, the better. • Install compact fluorescent lights. They generate less heat than traditional light bulbs and cost less to run. • Check with your electric company to see if they offer a program to help you reduce costs. For example, some electric companies will give you a credit on your bill during the summer's hottest months if you sign up to cycle your air conditioner condenser on and off in 15-minute increments on the days when homes and businesses are using a lot of electricity. ### Brokerage, investment and financial advisor services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. © 2010 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.
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