NEW YORK (NBC News Channel) -- To keep the sun's heat from warming up your home, you may be tempted to blast your air conditioner all day.
But a new device, a "modlet", can cut your energy usage and your bill. It works with any air conditioner that uses an electric plug. Set the temperature with the remote and download the app to your smartphone. The modlet costs about fifty bucks at select "Best Buy" stores.
Con Ed recommends setting your air conditioner at seventy-eight degrees, and while that might be high for some, remember this:
"For every degree you lower your air conditioner, you probably your increase your cooling cost by about six percent," said Michael Clendenin, Con Edison spokesman.
Other ways to cut your bill include turning lights off when you're not using them so that they don't produce heat.
"Your oven obviously creates heat, if you can cook in the microwave, cook in the microwave. It does use more energy though, but it’s not gonna heat up your house the way an oven would," said Clendenin.
Dishwashers and other appliances also create heat.
"Washers, dryers, all those things that create heat, run those things at night," Clendenin advised.
Another tip is to remove any dust on your light bulbs. That makes the bulb hotter, which creates heat.
