Legislator Norma L. Gonsalves (R-East Meadow) knows just how expensive it can be to keep your house cool during the upcoming summer months. "I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to stay cool and not spend a fortune. I have come across a number of ways that you can remain comfortable and save money," said Legislator Gonsalves.

The following suggestions are given by both the Department of Energy and the New York State web site on energy savings on how to reduce your energy bill this summer:

• Look for air conditioners and other household appliances with the Energy Star and Energy Guide labels. These products require less power to operate and often reduce electricity bills.
• Only use your air conditioning during the day. It very often gets cooler at night and sleeping with your windows open will help keep costs low. In the morning you can once again turn on your air conditioner.
• Ceiling fans require just a fraction of the power that an air conditioner does and is a nice alternative for cooling one room. Ceiling fans circulate air and are relatively inexpensive to purchase and operate compared to air conditioners.
• Sealing your air conditioning ducts, windows, and doors will help keep the cold air inside the house. By placing sealant around the edges of AC units and sealing central air conditioning ducts, valuable cold air can be kept inside the house, instead of escaping out. Likewise reinforcing windows will help keep cold air inside and save costs on cooling.
• Use your barbecue. Cooking outdoors during the summer months will keep you from having to use stoves and ovens inside the house. The heat generated by indoor cooking units raise the overall temperature of the home.

Air conditioners are a major burden to a homeowner's summer electricity bill. By implementing some of these simple measures, you can cut your costs on energy while at the same time remaining cool and enjoying the summer weather. For more information on ways to stay cool you can go to the Department of Energy's web site at www.energy.gov or the New York State web site on energy savings at www.getenergysmart.com. As always you can contact Legislator Gonsalves office for more information at 516-571-6213.