We have a few ideas on ways to keep your home cool AND save on energy costs this summer.
 

Fans, Fans, Fans!  Use your ceiling and portable fans to keep the cool air you do have in your home circulating.  Make sure your ceiling fans are blowing air downward in the summer.  Usually, this means moving in a counter-clockwise direction.  To remember this, think “three C’s”, Counter-Clockwise-Cooler.  Use portable fans near vents or window air conditioners to blow the cool air out into the room and maximize circulation.

Colorado’s (usually) dry climate makes evaporative cooling particularly effective.  This method uses moisture to keep the air cool.  This may include the use of a swamp cooler or a portable evaporative cooler.  Either way, make sure your cooler is clean and properly maintained.  If applicable, pads should be changed regularly and if your cooler requires manual filling, make sure to keep its reservoir full.  A fan used in conjunction with an evaporative cooler can maximize its benefits.

If you are using whole-house air conditioning system, make sure to adjust your programmable thermostat to a warmer setting when nobody will be home.  Also, make sure lamps and appliances are not placed near your thermostat.  These give off heat which could tell your thermostat it is warmer in your house than it really is.

Consider closing the blinds or curtains on south and west-facing windows during the day.  This will keep the heat of the sun from warming up your room.

Double-check your windows. Make sure they’re open when it’s cooler outside and your coolers aren’t running, but when the air conditioner is on, do a check to make sure you’re not sharing with the entire neighborhood!