Between higher temperatures, later nights and more time at home, the summer season can be especially taxing on your utility bills. However, saving energy and money at home is easy with these tips from HistoryMaker Homes. Flip the switchThis may take a little training if it’s not a habit already, but try to get everyone in the family to turn off the lights when they leave a room. This applies to everything from the bedroom to the bathroom and even that quick trip out to the garage to grab something. This small act goes a long way in setting up your family for savings. Check the lightbulbs you’re using too because switching to ENERGY STAR certified light fixtures and swapping in LED bulbs uses up to 75% less energy and they last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. Keep coolIt’s tempting to crank down the temperature on your air conditioner when the temperature climbs in Texas. There are a few other house energy saving tips to try first though that may help shave a few dollars from the summer bills too.First, check your window and door seals. If they aren’t properly reinforced or have wear and tear, they could be letting the nice cool air out of your home. This can be a tricky task, but it will pay off in the winter too if you secure these entry points now. Then, think about ceiling fans. Are you using the ones overhead in living areas? Does everyone have one in their room to turn on if they get hot? A little air circulation goes a long way in cooling off a space without freezing out the others.A programmable smart thermostat can help regulate temperatures too with control from your phone or a tablet. Set the temperature a little higher or lower when you are asleep or away and save up to <helmet-script/>80 a year without even noticing a change.Audit your appliancesThis should cover both the functionality and practicality of your current kitchen set-up. If things are getting lost in the back of the fridge or the oven has some hot spots you’ve had to train the family to work around, it might be time to make a change. Newer appliances are more efficient with ENERGY STAR Certifications for range hoods, refrigerators, ovens and microwaves to upgrade your cooking experience and conserve energy in one of your most active areas. Check your washer and dryer too to make sure they are working properly and safely. This includes monitoring vents and cleaning out the lint trap before every load. More Home. Smart Choice.HistoryMaker Homes builds every new home to meet and exceed the most up-to-date energy efficiency standards as part of our “More Home. Smart Choice” mission. This starts from the beginning with radiant barrier roof decking and wall sheathing, insulated low-E glass windows with vinyl frames, Greenguard certified insulation and high-efficiency air conditioning. If you are looking to start saving from the start, HistoryMaker Homes has move-in ready homes in the Houston and DFW metro areas available for your family too.