ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Most of us are looking forward to the hot weather, but not the higher cooling bills this summer. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association says residential electric costs are expected to be the highest in 10 years.

What You Need To Know

  •  NEADA says the average cost of cooling a home June-Sept could cost $719

  •  Sign up for an energy audit to check your home for leaks

  • Upgrading to a smart thermostat can help regulate heating and cooling for your home 

NEADA says the estimated cost is projected to increase by close to eight percent across the nation. The average homeowner will pay about $719 to keep the house cool the next four months. That's up from $661 during this same period last year.

We turned to the energy-saving experts at Wise Home Energy in Rochester for some cost-saving tips. Owner Jeff Flaherty says one of the most important factors in reducing energy costs and keeping cool is to give your air conditioning unit a checkup. Change the filter. Dirty filters block airflow.

Flaherty suggests you keep your thermostat at a temperature just cool enough to keep you comfortable, and then bump it up one degree because that one degree difference could save on energy usage.

"Inside we want to look at keeping things tighten up in the home," Flaherty said. "We want the windows and door latched. A thermostat setting is a huge part of your heating and cooling bill. Make sure dehumidifiers are working properly."

Flaherty suggests you close curtains and blinds to keep things cool inside. Turn on ceiling fans, you’ll be amazed at how much cooler a ceiling fan will make you feel.

Unplug anything you are not using, that will eliminate any standby usage. Wash your clothes in cool water and take a cool shower. Water heating accounts for about 18% of the energy consumed in your home so lowering the temperature of your water heater can help save energy which means you save money.

Companies like Wise will access, test and diagnose how your home is performing. They take a look at health, safety and energy efficiency. 

Anyone who pays into the system through RG&E, NYSEG and National Grid and others can have a no-cost assessment through the state's Residential Energy Assessment Program. New York residents can connect with a contractor to visit your house and check on all kinds of things.

"All it takes is a simple one page application and a copy of your electric and gas bill or propane or oil if you have those fuel sources. So it is a good idea to have it done. A lot of people think oh, I had it done ten years ago, but we wouldn't go to the doctor and say I went ten years ago. You'd want to have this done on occasion to check what the new technologies are or to see how your home is performing," said Jeff Flaherty, owner of Wise Home Energy.

Why not get those free recommendations and decide what's right for your family. For more on the free home energy assessment program head to nyserda.ny.gov.