Here are some tips to to help save on your electricity bill, courtesy of Smart Money:

Fine-Tune Your Equipment

• Arrange an HVAC inspection. Hire a certified technician to check that your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system is operating at peak efficiency.
• Shop for size. Use Energy Star guidelines to assess how powerful a unit you need when shopping for an air conditioner.
• Keep it clean. Clean the air filters every month. Dirt and dust hinder air flow, reducing efficiency.
• Program your thermostat. Program your thermostat to give your air conditioner a break for the eight hours you're at work.
• Seek out incentives on appliances. Energy Star-certified products are not only more efficient than their conventional counterparts, but may cost less. Many utility companies and local governments also offer rebates on such purchases.

Invest in some caulk and weather-stripping to plug up drafts along window and door frames.

Change your light bulbs Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75% less energy than conventional bulbs and also generate 70% less heat.

Close your blinds It's a simple concept: Rooms get hotter without shades or curtains to block the sunlight.

Use fans A breeze makes the room feel a few degrees cooler. Just be sure to turn it off when you leave. "Fans cool people, not rooms," says Kweller.

Unplug Gadgets like your cellphone charger and microwave suck energy — and generate heat — as long as they're attached to a power source, says Amann. Plug them into a power strip that can be turned off when not in use.

Assess Utility Suppliers If you live in a state where the electric industry is deregulated, shop around for a different energy provider.

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