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By Peggy Stillwell on Jun 11th, 2010
As the summer comes around, homeowners may find that they end up paying more in bills to help keep their home cooler.
However, the Environmental Protection Agency has offered a number of tips for people who want to stay comfortable without having to pay more money. For example, people should consider setting their thermostat higher when no one is at home. That way, people aren't losing money on keeping an empty house cool.
"Pull the curtains and shades closed before you leave your home to keep the sun's rays from overheating the interior of your home," the EPA said. "If you can, move container trees and plants in front of sun-exposed windows to serve as shade."
The EPA noted that most people end up seeing 20 percent of their utility bills go toward keeping their house cool. In a time when money may be tight, trying to cut back on these expenses can certainly help those trying to pay off debt.
People may also consider consumer credit counseling when seeking debt relief, as these organizations can help set up a monthly budget and guide on how to reduce expenses.