Adding a few items to your list of spring-cleaning chores can help make your home more energy efficient and deliver electric bills that won't make you sweat when the temperatures soar.

Start with your air conditioner. Spring and early summer are good times to make sure your cooling system is ready for the summer heat.

• Give your air conditioner a DIY cleaning. Shut off the unit and clear away leaves and yard debris.
• Get help from a professional who can service and inspect your unit for efficiency.
• Inside your home, replace filters to keep air moving efficiently and vacuum floor and ceiling registers to remove dust buildup.
• When using window units, ensure that weather stripping is in place. Placement should be between the middle of the top window pane and the bottom pane.

Moving outside your home, you can inspect your roof for things that may cause your home to be less efficient this summer.

• Safely inspect your roof. Seeing how well your roof has weathered the winter.
  • Roof leaks can damage insulation inside your attic, which can affect the comfort and efficiency of your home.
  • A roofing professional can assess larger repairs such as loose or missing shingles and leaks.