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1. Don't Cool Off the Great Outdoors
   How does your nice, cool, air-conditioned air escape from your home during the summer? Through every hole, nook and cranny in your house. And that's how unwanted hot air gets in from the outside, too.

   In fact, 31 percent of air escapes through floors, walls and ceilings; 15 percent through ducts; 14 percent through your chimney; 13 percent through plumbing penetrations; 11 percent through doors; 10 percent through windows; 4 percent through fans and vents; and 2 percent through electric outlets.

   So even though it's summertime, get out the caulk and weatherstripping and seal those leaks. Losing cool air in the summer costs just as much as losing heated air in the winter.

2. Help Your Refrigerator Keep Its Cool
   Refrigerators respond to summer weather the same way people do: They go the extra mile to keep cool. It's especially important to maintain your refrigerator during the year's warmest months. Here's how:
   
       * Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37 to 40 degrees for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and 5 degrees for the freezer. If you have a separate freezer for long-term storage, keep it at 0 degrees.
       * To check the refrigerator's temperature, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours. To check the freezer temperature, place a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.
       * Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers; frost buildup decreases the energy efficiency of the unit. Don't allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.
       * Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper out easily, the latch may need adjusting or the seal may need replacing.
       * If it's time to buy a new refrigerator, look for one with automatic moisture control. These models prevent moisture accumulation on the cabinet exterior without adding a heater. This is different than so-called "anti-sweat" heaters, which consume 5 percent to 10 percent more energy than models without that feature.
   
   
3. Quick Window Fixes
   If your windows rattle easily (and not just when the kids turn the music up loud!) you'll likely lose a lot of heated air this winter. In fact, the heat you lose through your windows can account for 10 to 25 percent of your heating costs! Take advantage of the good fall weather to prepare for colder, windy days ahead by giving your home's windows a good long look.
   
   About that rattling -- if the windows are loose in the frame, heated air can escape. A little caulking can solve the problem inexpensively. Rope caulking comes ready to press into place, costs about $5 per window and is easy to remove in the spring. If your window glass is very loose, you may need to reglaze them with glazing compound or putty, which is permanent. It's not a difficult task and it can really pay off.
   
   If your windowpanes are okay but you don't have storm windows and want an extra layer of protection, try clear plastic film. It may not look like much, but that thin layer of film creates a dead air space, which is a great insulator. Kits come with film and double-sided tape, are simple to use, and the film is almost invisible after it is heated and tightened into the space with a hair dryer.