The average family will save $180 per year when they use a programmable thermostat.

Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher and leave it there. For every degree below that setting, you’ll use 10 percent more electricity. Set the thermostat even higher when at work or away from home for long periods of time, but no more than five degrees higher.

Change or clean your AC filter regularly and use your ceiling fan for more comfort. Only turn it on, however, when you’re in the room because ceiling fans only cool people, not rooms. You’ll also want to clear your outside AC unit of plants or brush, so it can run more efficiently.

Checking your home’s air-conditioning system and changing your air filters, which should be done regularly because dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency.

Like any piece of machinery, an air conditioning system needs regular maintenance if it’s to perform at peak efficiency. The most important maintenance you can provide for your air conditioning system is changing or cleaning its air filters. Clogged or dirty air filters can block air flow and impair an AC system’s efficiency, and dirty air that gets past a filter can be carried into the evaporator coil and reduce the coil’s ability to absorb heat and cool your home.

Whether you have central air conditioning or room air conditioners, keeping the air filters clean can lower your AC unit’s electricity use by 5 percent to 15 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. And since cooling your home is a big source of energy consumption, keeping your AC filters clean can help save money on your monthly electric bill.