Everyone who has air-conditioning has it on this week!  With heat indexes topping out at 127 degrees, you might be a little scared to look at your electrical cooling bill.  Here are some tips to help keep your home a little cooler and keep the air-conditioner off a little longer.

* Block out the sun by closing the blinds and drapes.  According to the US Department of Energy, this can reduce the amount of heat coming into your home by 45%.

* Replace your air-conditioner filter as recommended (usually once a month).  The more dust, fuzz, and dirt in your filter, the harder your air-conditioner needs to work to move the air.

* If you're using a window air-conditioner, fill the cracks between the window frame and the unit with peelable caulk or a sealant strip to keep the hot air outside where you want it!

* Use your bath fan.  When taking a shower, turn on the fan to get that extra moisture out of the air.

* Turn off the drying cycle on your dishwasher.  It adds extra steamy moisture to the air.  Also use your dishwasher in the evening when it's cooler.

* Keep drinking - water that is.  In this hot weather, it is easy to get dehydrated.  When you get dehydrated, your body temperature rises.  Watch out for alcohol, caffeine, and drinks with lots of sugar though because they can actually increase your dehydration.

* Don't use the oven.  Use your stovetop, microwave, or crockpot.  An even better idea is to grill outside.  Yes, you'll be outside but all that cooking heat will be as well.

* Shut off any lights you don't need.  If you have dimmers on your lights, use them to keep the lighting (and its heat) to a minimum.

* Change your light bulbs to a compact fluorescent (CFL) type.  CFL bulbs produce 70% less heat than standard bulbs!