As I write this, the temperature is a scorching 105 degrees outside. Heat waves bounce off the pavement, eggs fry upon contact with the sidewalk, swimming pools are almost uncomfortably warm, and the hum of air conditioning units fills the air. Yes, it's just another summer in Texas. Perhaps here more than anywhere else, home owners have grown accustomed to high energy bills, thanks to the fact that our air conditioners never shut off during this four- or even five-month period.

And higher energy costs mean even greater expenses for home sellers, who already are faced with the formidable costs of hiring movers, closing costs, setting up new electricity in their new residences, setting up new phone service, and all of the other financial joys of relocating. Given that the summer months are prime moving season, this is precisely the right time to begin adopting energy-saving habits in your home. The practices you learn now will start you off on the right foot in your new home. After all, home owners want to spend what little disposable cash they have left after a move on furniture and accessories for their new homes -- not on costly energy bills, a substantial portion of which are due to wasteful habits.

Many of us in Texas and throughout the country attempt to curb our monthly bills with little sacrifices here and there. We crank up the temperature when we leave for work each day, or even when we're just running out on an errand. But does that really help our case? After all, when you return and turn down the temperature on your unit once again, it seems to run forever in order to compensate for the now much-warmer temperature inside your home. What are the best approaches to cutting summer energy costs, short of parking yourself in the middle of your living room, in a kiddie pool filled with ice cubes?

The following cost-cutting tips include helpful points you may not ever have considered. Ultimately, it's not cranking up the air conditioner, but rather the little things we do throughout the day that make the biggest difference in our monthly energy bills.

Make an investment in large box fans, ceiling fans, or window fans. Believe it or not, these fans do make a significant differerence in room temperature and because they use less power to operate, they cost less than running your air conditioning unit. You'll be able to set your thermostat a few degrees higher, and as we all know, every degree makes a significant difference in energy costs.

It might seem depressing, but make your house a tomb. You won't be sorry come bill-paying time. Close your blinds, shades, and draperies during the hottest part of the afternoon -- or all day if you're going to be out. If you're leaving for an extended period, you may want to consider shutting off your air conditioning unit altogether or turning up the temperature several degrees.

Mom and Dad always knew best: Turn off all lights when you leave a room or when they aren't needed.

Celebrate the summer by cooking outdoors (who doesn't love a cookout?), get friendly with your microwave, or serve cold meals such as pasta salads to avoid using your stove and conventional oven, both of which heat up the kitchen, add moisture to the air, and force your air conditioning unit to overcompensate. Microwave ovens consume less than half the power of a conventional oven, and they cook food in about one-fourth the time.

If you must use it at all, avoid using your conventional oven during the hottest part of the day -- that's usually anywhere from noon to early evening (6 p.m.) Instead, use your range top more. Prepare your meals in large quantities, then freeze leftovers in meal-size portions. You'll not only save energy, but time, as well.

If you've ever stood next to a dishwasher during its cycle, you know how hot the surrounding air becomes. To avoid heating up your kitchen, use only the short cycle, and avoid running your dishwasher until it's completely full.

Set your refrigerator at 40 degrees and your freezer at zero degrees. And if your refrigerator has an "efficiency" setting, turn it on.

Did you know that the vast majority of energy consumed by your washing machine is used to heat the water, as opposed to the actual washing of your clothes? To help cut costs, set your washing machine on cold wash whenever possible, and always rinse with cold water. You have nothing to lose but higher energy bills and shrunken clothes.

Instead of frying your clothes in the dryer, use warm or cold settings instead. Even better, use an outdoor clothesline if you can.

Take showers instead of baths, and turn the water off while brushing your teeth or shaving.

During power shortages -- such as the one currently being faced by North Central Texas -- limit how often you water your lawn, and try to avoid washing your car if possible.

If you own a swimming pool, set your pool pump to come on only during evening hours. That reduces energy consumption during peak usage hours.

Finally, make sure your water heater is set no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature considered adequate for normal use. Consider turning off your water heater during peak periods of electrical use or following community appeals for electricity conservation.

Published: July 17, 1998

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