Southwest Michigan has survived its first real heatwave of the summer, and Indiana Michigan Power is reminding everyone there are simple ways to reduce the electric bill this time of year.

Spokesperson Kara Stevenson tells us weatherization of the home isn’t just for winter. She says warm air can creep in through small air leaks around windows and doors. That can happen with a window unit air conditioner, too, causing as much as 25% of the cool air to get away. Be sure to get a unit that fits the window properly and seal off any gaps.

Another tip is to use the ceiling fan in tandem with the air conditioning.

“It’s as simple as flipping a switch on your ceiling fan and it sends it into that counterclockwise spin, if it’s not already doing so, and you get a little extra coolness into the room, which means maybe you can bump that thermostat to a higher setting,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson adds an air conditioning unit not receiving regular maintenance may work harder to provide service throughout the summer. So, take a look at the unit yourself.

“It’s always worth that extra trip to go over and make sure that your unit is clear of any debris. I know we’ve got trees around our house, so, did any sticks fall down into it, or are they laying leaning up against it? Has there been any vegetation that’s grown around it?”

Stevenson says hiring a professional to inspect the unit at the start of summer is always also smart.

I&M says you can find all kinds of energy saving tips at ElectricIdeas.com. If you need help paying your bill, call 211 to learn about the programs available.