Home improvements to cut down on your air conditioner usage

Now that the temperature and humidity are starting to make life a bit more uncomfortable, it's the perfect time to start investing in some energy-efficient improvements to help cut down on your energy usage. From window treatments to ceiling fans, there are many options available to improve your home's aesthetic and to cut down on utility bills at the same time.

According to Stone Mountain-RedanPatch, each degree that you set your thermostat below 78 degrees will increase your summer energy use by three to four percent. You can keep the thermostat on 78 and use ceiling fans to increase the room's circulation. The fan won't cool off the air, but it will help to blow away the warm air that is radiating from your body.

Energy-efficient window treatments such as honeycomb cellular shades are another option to help contain the cool air that your air conditioner is churning out. The window treatments use a unique single or dual-cell design that is meant to control glare and air leakage. They can be found in blackout and room-darkening varieties for bedrooms, and they can help you save significantly on your summer energy bills.