Simple upgrades can take some of the sizzle out of your summer.
"Digital thermostats are so much more effective at accurately keeping temperatures in your home at the right setting," Charles Hill, Operations Manager at Oncor, said.
He says updating your thermostat, closing blinds, and running a ceiling fan are inexpensive ways to control the temperatures inside when you can't control them outside.
And you can go even farther than that. "Insulation is generally a very good investment here in Texas, when you're building a home that's the time to think about it," Hill said.
One of the latest technologies is spray foam insulation.
"It actually stops all of that coolness inside your house from going through roof, or the heat coming in through your roof," Stephanie Taylor, owner of Biomax, said.
While spray foam costs twice as much as conventional insulation, it helps relieve your A/C, which saves you monthly.
"Anybody that we've asked say they've saved anywhere from 30 to 40 percent on their electric bill," Taylor said.
The foam expands up to 3.5 inches inside your walls, and 5 inches on the roof, to create a barrier tough to penetrate. "The only air infiltration that comes in would be through windows or door openings," Taylor said.
Windows are another factor to consider.
"Low-E glass with vinyl windows are about most economical windows you can get," Anwar Khalifa, a homebuilder with Pyramid Homes, said.
He says the lower the number on the label, the better it will be at not letting heat or cool air transfer. He also recommends sealing air ducts. "30% of energy is lost through the air ducts," Khalifa said.
Finally, don't forget to switch out your air filters every month.
