In Lakeland, Florida, the summer seasons are especially long, hot and sticky. The heat and humidity are brutal. Daytime temperatures regularly soar into the nineties, and we rely on the air conditioner for a minimum of eight straight months. My electric bills are a big part of the household budget. I continually search for new opportunities to trim costs. I spent a small fortune on an industry-leading, Energy Star rated air conditioner with a 26 SEER. The system features variable-speed operation, which allows it to adapt output to the exact needs of the living environment. Rather than run at maximum speed until achieving the thermostat setting and then shutting off completely, the cooling system adjusts in tiny one percent increments anywhere between forty and one hundred percent capacity. The longer run times and lower speeds reduces energy consumption and costs. Plus, the system has more time to filter out air contaminants and manage excess humidity. To ensure the cooling system continues to operate at peak reliability and energy efficiency, I am conscientious about replacing air filters every month. I have signed up for a maintenance plant that includes a comprehensive diagnostic testing, cleaning and adjustment from a licensed HVAC specialist. I also schedule ductwork testing every other year. To lessen demands on the air conditioner, I keep the blinds closed during the day. I rarely use the oven and keep the lights off. Just recently, I installed ceiling fans in most of the rooms. They are attractive and also help to improve comfort. The cans encourage the heat up and out, creating a cooling effect.