Lower your Electric Bill During Our Heatwave

UNDATED - Our air conditioners will be working overtime this week, trying to keep us cool.  We have some tips for you to help keep your electric bill down.

Xcel Energy says there are things you can do, to lower your electric use this week.  First change your air conditioning filter and keep the unit's coils dust-free.

Provide shade for your air conditioning condenser -- that only could reduce your cooling costs by three-percent.

Use ceiling fans -- they cost as little as .30 cents a month if used eight hours a day, a window air conditioner can cost 50 times as much.

Raise your thermostat setting just a few degrees from 72 to 78 and save $25 a month.  And install a programmable thermostat and save as much as another 12 percent.