5 Cool Energy-Saving, Cost-Saving Tips as Summer Heats Up

Live like a vampire. During the day, close blinds and curtains and create a natural cooling environment for your home. Heats thrives in daylight -- the more you close out the sun, the more you'll save (another good tip when you're away from the home all day).

Find your "phantom load rate." If you're leaving gadgets and electronics plugged in -- even if they're not turned on -- you're tossing $20 bills out the window. Best bet: Plug them all in to a power strip you unplug when you hit the sack at night and the road in the morning.

Don't be a "washout." The center says 90% of your energy use when running the washing machine comes from hot water. That's why it's best to use cold water to clean your clothes. Also, load up on loads -- one large load is much cheaper to run than two smaller ones back to back.

Cutting back on your electric bill is largely an issue of diligence and creativity. Display those attributes and watch your electric bill melt away this summer.