When temperatures begin to rise in the summer, making small adjustments to how your household uses energy can help lower your electric bill. Follow these money-saving tips to reduce your energy use, and in turn, your monthly bill.

• Set your thermostat to 78 degrees. Nearly half of the electricity used in homes goes to condition the air inside.
• Don't turn off the air conditioner when you're gone; instead, set it higher. Turning it off makes the system work harder to overcome the heat built up in a house when you turn it back on. 
• Use a programmable thermostat. Set it to bring your home's temperature down to 78 degrees 30 minutes before you get home. 
• Replace air conditioner filters now, then once a month. The dirtier the filter, the harder your heat pump must work. 
• Restrict the use of heat-producing appliances like ovens, dishwashers and dryers to the early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler outdoors. 
• On warm days, close blinds and drapes, especially in south-facing windows which allow in the most heat.

For more energy-saving tips, visit jacksonemc.com/waystosave.