The U.S. Department of Energy reports that air conditioning and heating your house accounts for 43 percent of your monthly utility bill. Here are some tips to help you reduce air conditioning costs.

1. Shade Your House

A majority of the heat accumulating inside your home comes from the sun directly shining through the windows or on the roof. One effective thing you can do is plant leafy trees around the exterior of the building to prevent the sun from reaching into your house. If there are shrubs or trees shading your air conditioner, the U.S. Department of Energy reports that the efficiency of your AC unit could receive up to a 10 percent boost.

2. Protect Your Windows

Mesh-like window screens or solar screens, are able to intercept as much as 70 percent of the total solar energy to keep it out of your home. The U.S. Department of … read more