Tips To Head Off High Seasonal Cooling Bills

(HIT)-With the cost of air-conditioning expected to skyrocket over the warmer months due to higher electricity rates, many homeowners are wondering what to do about it. What many people don't know is that energy saving techniques work just as well in the summer, maintaining cooling temperatures and costs as they do in the winter in preventing, high heating bills. In preparation for the warmer months, consider the following tips from the CertainTeed Home Institute to keep your home cool:

• Clean or replace air-conditioner filters.
• Plant shade trees and shrubs around your house -- especially on the west side.
• Crawl into your attic or crawlspace and look at the insulation. Is there enough? It should be insulated to at least an R-38 in the attic and R-19 in crawlspaces. Do it yourself or call a professional insulation contractor to help you add more if you need it.
• Insulate hot water pipes and ducts wherever they run through air-conditioned areas of your home.
• Seal up air leaks in your house by caulking leaky windows and weather-stripping doors.
• Pull down shades and close windows during the day to keep the sun and its warmth out of your home.
• Use energy-saving settings on appliances. Refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers can all be used more energy efficiently when turned to energy saving settings.

For more information, contact the CertainTeed Home Institute for the free brochure "Tips To Head Off High Cooling Bills" by calling 1-800-782-8777 or visit our website at www.certainteed.com.