With summer’s heat not quite gone, there are ways to make sure the weather doesn’t sap your wallet, too.

Power bills are known to soar when the temperature outside does the same, and paying that high power bill might raise your internal temperature, too.

The Department of Energy lists a variety of ways to help keep your home cool and maybe help you keep your cool during bill-paying time.

The DoE recommends using your windows to gain cool air and keep out heat. You can install window coverings to prevent heat gain through your windows. 

Operate your thermostat efficiently. Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.Keep your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lower the thermostat setting to 78 degrees only when you are at home and need cooling. A programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature.

The Department of Energy also recommends that you avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense. Also, to stop warm air from leaking into your home, seal cracks and openings. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows.

Your appliances and lighting can add heat. On hot days, avoid using the oven. Try to install efficient lighting that runs cooler. Only about 10 to 15 percent of the electricity incandescent lights consume results in light, according to the Department of Energy. The rest becomes heat. Use only full loads for your dishwasher and washing machine, and consider air drying dishes and clothes. 

You also can minimize the activities that generate a lot of heat, such as running a computer, burning open flames, running a dishwasher, and using hot devices such as curling irons or hair dryers. Even stereos and televisions will add some heat to your home.

Find out more at https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/spring-and-summer-energy-saving-tips. 

If you are a Thomasville Utilities customer, go to thomasville.org, click on Utilities and then click on Energy Efficiency Information. You will find a number of tips and tools there to see how much energy you are using and you might be able to use less.

Don’t let the heat get to you — in more ways than one.