Mays Landing, N.J. - As the temperatures begin to rise, so do many people's concerns about their energy bills. While summer is a great time to be enjoying our region's warm weather activities, it is not so pleasing to feel the heat of higher energy bills that often are associated with trying to stay cool.

Atlantic City Electric offers its customers the following energy conservation tips:

• Have your air conditioning system checked by a licensed technician to ensure it is in good working condition.
• Set your air conditioner's thermostat between 75-78 degrees. Once you remove the humidity, this can be a comfortable temperature range. Remember every degree you move your thermostat up can save as much as five percent on your cooling bill.
• Change your air conditioner filter. A dirty filter causes the unit to run longer and inefficiently. A dirty filter can cause an air conditioner to use up to five percent more energy.
• Close window shades, blinds, or drapes to block the sunlight during the hottest part of the day.
• Move lamps, TVs, and other heat producing items away from your air conditioner's thermostat. Heat from these appliances could cause your air conditioner to run longer than necessary. Turn the appliances off when they're not being used.
• Check that all windows and doors are tightly closed to keep the cool air in and the hot air out.
• Do your cooking and use other heat-generating appliances such as washers, dryers and dish washers in the early morning or late evening when it usually is cooler whenever possible.
• Wash clothes in cold water.
• Use dishwashers only when fully loaded. Dishwashers use the same amount of electricity whether they're full or empty. Use the air-dry option if your unit has one.
• Consider preparing light summer meals that don't require a lot of cooking. If possible, use an outdoor grill or microwave for cooking.

Summer will surely bring hot, humid weather, but with a few inexpensive tips you can be comfortable and help stretch your energy dollars too. For more energy saving tips visit www.atlanticcityelectric.com.

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