Summer heat challenges our attempts to stay cool and comfortable. It also can mean facing pricey electric bills.

A few simple changes can add up to savings on home utility bills. Check out these suggestions and links for ideas about how to reduce electricity costs this season.

Simple things Matter

Many methods to help reduce electric bills are simple and easily put into practice. Try these ideas for quick no-cost and low-cost conservation.

• Turning off lights when a room is unoccupied offers surprisingly effective results.
• Use ceiling fans only in rooms that are occupied and turn them off when no one is home. Fans make a room feel cooler to people and pets, but don't reduce air temperature.
• Keep your air conditioner clean and clear of debris. Washing the outside coils and keeping plants away from the base will prevent air flow blockage.
• Refrigerators and freezers operate most efficiently when full. Keep them as full as possible, using bottles filled with water to fill space.
• Use dishwashers and laundry appliances at night. Doing so keeps the home cooler and avoids straining the power grid during the peak use period between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Use power strips. Even when turned off, many electronic devices and home office equipment can continue to consume power when plugged into an outlet. Turning off the power strip prevents machines from draining power in standby mode.