Your heating and cooling system uses more than half of the energy in your home, so blame it for your high energy bill. But who makes the rules in your house? You do, and a few slight changes in your heating and cooling habits can result in more money in your pocket each month. While your comfort is important, ask yourself at what cost.

• Set your thermostat between 78 and 80 degrees while at home during the warm season. Increase the temperature 7 degrees when you leave your home for several hours. During the cold season, set your thermostat between 68 to 70 degrees when you’re at home.
• Use a programmable thermostat. Set it at a higher temperature (try 85 degrees) while you’re at work. Then, program it to be a comfortable temperature (78-80 degrees) in time for your return home. Try our free Smart Thermostat.  
• Manage your heating and air conditioning use better with CPS Energy's Home Manager. Using a computer, you can see how your home is using electricity, from hour to hour, and even make changes remotely using your smart phone or any web-enabled device.
• Check your air filter every month, especially during the summer and winter, and replace dirty filters that make your system work harder and waste energy.  
• Perform a home energy audit, through CPS Energy Savers, of your heating and cooling system.
• Have your heating and air conditioning system inspected and cleaned twice a year (spring and fall, preferably) by a licensed professional.
• Use ceiling or portable electric fans in occupied rooms to circulate air and make a room feel cooler. Don’t forget to turn off fans when you leave the room! 
• Replace your air conditioner if it is 10 years or older. Consider a new, more efficient model. Take advantage of CPS Energy’s Air Conditioner Rebates 
• Repair leaks in your air duct system. Take advantage of CPS Energy’s Air Flow Performance Rebates 
• Reduce air leaks. Add caulk around window frames and weather-stripping around door frames.
• Check the insulation in your attic. Poorly insulated attics may lose up to 40 percent of the cool air in a house.  Take advantage of CPS Energy’s Attic Insulation Rebates 
• Replace old windows with ENERGY STAR® windows and reduce your energy bill by as much as 15 percent.   
• Plant trees and shrubs to reduce direct sunlight on your home and its effect on the temperature inside your home.  More about tree placement and energy savings
• Consider reflective roof products if you need to replace your roof. A reflective roof lowers the surface temperature and reduces the amount of heat transferred into your home.