Make no mistake about it, it is summertime in Alabama and temperatures are at broiling conditions.

With air conditioners running constantly, energy bills are certain to rise this season. The U.S. Department of Energy has a few do it yourself energy assessment tips that could save you some money as you struggle to beat the heat.

Keep an Open Mind:

When walking through your home, keep a checklist of areas you have inspected and the problems you found. The list will help you prioritize your energy efficiency upgrades. Do not assume that because your home is new or recently remodeled that there are no opportunities to save energy. Energy-saving technology has evolved over the past few years.

READ MORE: Turn off lights, appliances during heat wave, utilities ask north Alabama residents

Locate Air Leaks:

Potential energy savings from reducing drafts in homes may range from 10% to 20% per year.

Check for indoor air leaks, such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at joints of walls and ceiling.

Other places to check for leaks include windows, doors, lighting and plumbing fixtures, switches and electrical outlets. And don’t forget to check for open fireplace dampers.

Seal the Leaks:

Plug and caulk holes around faucets, pipes, electric outlets, and wiring. Look for cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and siding, and look for leaks around windows and doors. Seal them with the appropriate material.

Check Insulation Levels:

Heating and cooling loss through the floor, ceiling, and walls in your home could vary if insulation levels are less than currently recommended. The level of insulation might be inadequate, especially if you have an older home.

If the attic hatch is located above a conditioned space, check to see if it is at least as heavily insulated as the attic, is weather-stripped, and closes tightly.

Seal gaps with an expanding foam caulk or some other permanent sealant. When sealing gaps around chimneys or other heat-producing devices, be sure to use a non-combustible sealant.

Inspect Heating and Cooling Equipment:

Inspect heating and cooling equipment annually, or as recommended by the manufacturer.

If the unit is more than 15 years old, you should consider replacing your system with one of the newer, energy-efficient units. A new unit would greatly reduce your energy consumption, especially if the existing equipment is in poor condition.

Review Lighting:

Energy for lighting accounts for about 10% of your electric bill. Examine the light bulbs in your house and consider replacing inefficient bulbs with a more efficient choice, such as ENERGY STAR light-emitting diodes (LEDs) bulbs or energy saving incandescent lights. Also look for ways to use connected home devices or lighting controls such as sensors, dimmers, or timers to reduce lighting use.

Appliances and Electronics:

The appliances and electronics you choose and how you use them affect your energy use and costs. Examine the appliances and electronics in your home and estimate their energy use. Consider strategies include:

• Unplugging an item when it is not in use to prevent phantom loads
• Using smart home energy management systems to monitor and control energy consumption of devices.

Call the Professionals:

Once you have finished the do-it-yourself assessment, consider calling in a professional to complete a thorough assessment. Many utilities offer professional energy assessments at cheaper or reduced costs.

Your self-assessment could help the auditor better analyze your home.

You can see all the recommendations here.