This summer you can save money on your electric bill by doing a few very low cost things.

Reduce the time the air conditioner is on. If the air conditioner is used two fewer hours a day, the energy savings can be significant. A grounded appliance timer can be used on a window unit to turn the unit on just before you come home from work. Appliance timers generally cost less than $25.

Raise the air conditioner temperature. Setting the air conditioner temperature to 78 degrees makes it run less than if the temperature is set lower. This can save a lot of energy. Each degree increase can result in a savings of four percent of the cost to run the air conditioner!

Seal the space around the air conditioner and the window. It is important that the seal is reinstalled each season.

Use cross ventilation instead of the air conditioner. Open windows and use fans instead of air conditioning. Try to do this when the temperature outside drops below 78 degrees and the humidity level is low.

Set your dehumidifier to a less dry setting. Dehumidifiers warm the air. When they run longer than necessary, they add more heat than necessary. Unplugging or turning off unnecessary dehumidifiers can save an average of $15 a month.

Keep your house closed up tightly when the air conditioner is running. Close windows, storm windows, and turning off exhaust fans except when showering or cooking. Also, a dryer works like an exhaust fan, pumping out cooled air and sucking in warm, moist air to replace it.

Use fans in addition to, or instead of, the air conditioner. Using fans may allow about a 4 degree rise in the thermostat setting of the air conditioner. Fans should only be used when you are in the room. The benefit of using a fan is that it blows air against your skin, making you feel cooler.