A recent story on AARP.org suggested that small steps can lead to big savings when it comes to lowering your summer electricity bill.

Here are some of the suggestions.

1. Defang energy vampires

Today’s electronic devices, from computers to coffee makers, continue to use energy and drain power, even when they are turned off.

How much can you save by unplugging? As much as 20 percent of your electric bill, according to Duke Energy.

2. Get a programmable thermostat

If you can let the house get a bit warmer when you’re gone, and cool it off when you get home, you can save as much as 20 percent from your heating and cooling bills, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

If you’re leaving your pets at home, never let the house get hotter than 80 degrees; if you have a long-haired pet, keep the house slightly cooler. And keep lamps and TVs away from the thermostat.

3. Draw the blinds during the daytime

About 76 percent of sunlight that hits your windows enters to generate heat inside your home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

A recent study found that 75 percent of blinds stay in the same position every day.

The Energy Department says that medium-colored draperies with white-plastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33 percent, so put down the blinds when the sun is blazing.

4. If you have a ceiling fan, use it

The Energy Department says that if you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will let you raise the thermostat about four degrees (at least in those rooms that have one) in the summer.

Fans that carry the Energy Star label move air 20 percent more efficiently than those that don’t. In the summer, you should set ceiling fans to go counter-clockwise to blow air downward, according to Home Depot.

5. Give your outdoor air conditioner a cleaning

The coils on your outside air conditioning unit get dirty, and that reduces their efficiency.

Spend the money to have bugs and grass clippings washed from the coils, and have the unit checked and tuned every year. It will last longer and keep you cooler more cheaply.

6. Lower the temperature on your water heater

Hot water is a wonderful thing, but it accounts for about 18 percent of energy use.

You shouldn’t heat water to more than 120 degrees to prevent scalding. If your setting is higher, turn it down. And you probably don’t want a steaming hot shower in July, anyway.

7. Plant a tree

There’s a reason it’s cooler in the shade.

Plant trees and shrubs on the south and west side of your house — or near your outside air conditioning unit — and you can make your cooling systems 10 percent more efficient, according to Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships.

8. Get out of the house

Specifically, get outside and use the grill. An indoor stove can raise your temperature as much as 5 to 10 degrees.

Just don’t leave the door open while you’re grilling. You don’t want to air condition the whole neighborhood.

9. Ask for discounts

Your electric company may offer discounts for those with low income or disabilities.

They may also offer incentives to reduce your energy usage on summer days when energy demand is highest, typically between noon and 8 p.m. Florida Power & Light, for example, offers a Time of Use Rate, which charges more during peak hours and less during off-peak hours, which encourages customers to use more power on off-peak hours and less during peak hours.


10. Use your major appliances wisely

Run full loads of laundry and use cold water when you can. Run your dishwasher only when it’s full, and use air dry, rather than heated dry.

If you have an electric oven (and you can’t grill), use the microwave instead. And clean your dryer trap. A dryer can lose 75 percent of its efficiency if lint clogs its trap.

Clean it after every use and save up to $288 on the annual cost of operating a dryer.