Q: With summer coming how can I hold down my electric bill without sweating for three months?


A: Start with understanding what compromises your cooling costs. First is load second is delivered efficiency of equipment.

Load comprises anything that creates or allows heat into a living area. Common items under load include 1. Attic insulation
2. Wall insulation
3. Window Quality 
4. Window shading, including indoor blinds depth of eaves 
5. Internal gains- refrigerator, cooking, hot showers, clothes washing and drying, people
6. Infiltration
7. Incandescent lighting
8. Attic Ventilation

 
Delivered Efficiency 

1. Seer- the government rating for air conditioners
2. Air flow- without correct airflow no air conditioner will run near efficiency
3. Unsealed ducts- could also be under load
4. Clean condesor and evaperator coils.


These are the major factors of your cooling utility costs, improving any will reduce costs.  Where to start depends on your budget. An air conditioning tuneup is about $100, simple sealing with caulk and foam can lead to improvements in cost and comfort. Weatherstripping, sealing an attic access, or sealing can lights and supply registers all provide great bang-for-the-buck. Other low cost options include well shaded drapes or curtains, preventing solar gain will provide huge benefits. Installing florescent light bulbs will cut down on heat. Grilling outside helps as well as drying clothes on a line. I have suggested the clothes line to my wife and she called me an idiot so maybe not the best plan. Wall insulation is much harder to improve in an existing home and usually isn't an option unless siding is also being replaced. Attic insulation is much easier to handle even for the greenest handy man. I would avoid attic insulation until all chases and wiring runs are sealed and any duct work in an attic is sized properly, balanced and sealed. 
        If your budget is a little higher and you are considering new equipment there is a lot to know, I can't hit everything but here a few things to know. Duct sealing is not a joke , there are plenty of times I've recommended sealing ducts as opposed to a new air conditioner just to see a raised eyebrow. Leaky ductwork is usually the biggest culprit in an uncomfortable expensive to cool home. By the way if your tech pulls out duct tape call someone else. If your ac tech tells you the duct is too small and restrictive then you have found a well trained tech. Sealing undersized duct will cause more problems than it fixes, mostly equipment failure and a loss of capacity. If your now satisfied with your duct work and are replacing your ac make sure your bid includes a new evaperator coil and confirmation of airflow, I can't state enough that incorrect airflow will be a problem. Just a few side notes on ac's, 13 seer is now the minimum efficiency but there are still 10 seers hanging around that should be avoided. There is a current phase out of r-22 freon in place in favor of r-410a or puron. Puron is Bryant/Carriers name for R-410a and should be the refrigerant in your new equipment install.