Here are some handy tips to make your house more efficient

July 4, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

By Alan Heavens

McClatchy-Tribune

Nature doesn’t appear willing to cut consumers a break. Neither does the economy.

Longer, colder winters turn quickly into longer, hotter summers. To add insult to injury, it seems to happen while the cost of energy is skyrocketing.

Recent 90-degree-plus days in the nation’s East tested the endurance of even those who thrive on sultry weather. As household electric meters spin at warp speed, how can you rein in energy costs “and remain as comfortable as possible?

“My first response would be to add insulation to ensure a well-sealed house, but if homeowners cannot manage it in the middle of a heat wave, I understand,” said Ronnie Kweller, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy in Washington.

A no-heavy-lifting alternative: buying an Energy Star-rated programmable thermostat for “as little as $25.”

“When the house is empty, the thermostat could be turned up and set to have the temperature drop to more comfortable levels by the time you arrive home,” Kweller said.

Just doing that can cut energy expenses by 10 percent, she said, adding that the cost of cooling a house in summer averages about 12 percent of your annual bill.

Most utility companies and energy-efficiency advocates recommend raising the thermostat to 78 degrees when you’re home, 85 degrees when you’re away. Based on a 2,400-square-foot house, the savings-per-degree equals $4, according to Georgia Power in Atlanta.