There's no doubt about it... Florida can be very hot and humid during the summer months.  I've also been hearing in the news that this summer has also been especially hard in other parts of the country as well.  Whether it's due to global warming or just coincidental, it's always a good idea to take energy conservation seriously. 

Taking steps now to conserve home energy costs can save you money over time.  These steps range from the free or low-cost to the more expensive which are worthwhile but will take longer to see a return on investment (ROI).  Examples of both include keeping your blinds closed (except during showings if your home is for sale), installing a programmable thermostat, regularly replacing your A/C filter, vacuuming any build-up of dust on refrigerator and freezer coils, lowering your hot water heaters' temperature setting, installing window tinting, or replacing your air-conditioning system with a new, more efficient one.  Whole house air-conditioning units typically need replacement every 10-12 years in Florida.

Also, many utility companies offer homeowners a free energy audit that includes a report on things you can do to lower your energy bills.  Below are some links to articles that offer home energy conservation tips:

Articles for further reading:

• A Cool Deal:  Buying Updated Air Conditioner Can Save Energy, Money
• Cool Tips for Getting Your Air Conditioning into Top Shape
• Home Energy Analysis and Energy Conservation Tips
• Chill Out: Unorthodox Approaches to Cutting Summer Energy Bills
• Cool It!  How to Cut those Skyrocketing Energy Bills
• Something Shady's Going On