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High energy prices have been on the rise in the United States. There are ways that you can make your home hot weather ready while keeping cool in the summer.

The first thing you may want to do is get an energy audit to see how energy efficient your home really is. An energy auditor will come to the home and check all major appliances, heating and cooling systems, as well as windows, doors and insulation. The entire structure of the home will be assessed and get an overall rating. This rating will also come with a report that will give suggestions on how you can change the home, or make improvements to it so it is more energy efficient.

There are some things you can check in your home to identify areas that are in need of improvement. Check your garage walls, basement, attic and attic stairway to see if there are any major drafts or areas where the insulation is old or in need of replacement.

Check your central air conditioning system every spring and have it serviced. This will make sure that it is working properly and efficiently so that money is not wasted on leaks. You may also want to clean or replace the filter once every two months and always seal any leaks or holes around pipes, whether they be plumbing or heating.

Hire a contractor to seal any leaky ducts so that airflow is distributed equally and the equipment is operating at peak efficiency.

Are your windows single or double pane? If they are single pane, you may want to consider installing double pane windows with high performance glass. This ensures that there are fewer drafts in the house.

Consider a programmable thermostat that can regulate the home's temperature even when you are not home. That way, the air conditioning will not cool the home when you are not home, or in the evenings when the air conditioning may not be as necessary.

When you install window coverings, curtains, drapes or blinds, it helps seal off the windows and doors from both any drafts and the sun. It can help keep your house cool in the day by protecting the home from the sun's hot rays.

Consider ceiling fans as an alternate source of cooling. These ceiling fans do not use as much energy as air conditioning and keep a bedroom very cool.

If you have room around the property of the house, consider planting a tree. A tree can act as a natural cooling system for a house or bedroom window so that the sun is not in direct contact with the home. When the sun is not shining directly on the home, it can greatly decrease the heat that enters in the house.

If you can not plant a tree to shield the house, you may want to invest in applying a reflective coating to the roof. This reflective coating will redirect the sun's rays, bouncing the heat off of the home. A dark roof absorbs a lot of heat, so if you have one, consider getting a light roof that will also reflect the sun's rays.

There are many options for energy-saving appliances. Some of them can be great investments, but always check the energy claims to see if it really is saving you energy and if it is something that you could use in your home.

If you feel that energy conservation in your home is something that you can achieve, but need help with the investment to make all the improvements in your home, you may want to check out an Energy-Efficient Mortgage (EEM). You can get a loan towards the improvements of your house if the overall savings in the utilities are greater than the cost of the home improvements. Ask your energy auditor to help you determine the break even point where your costs match your savings, and savings will begin to take place. In the long term, great savings can be reaped by performing these home improvements.

Energy-Efficient Mortgages are a lot like normal mortgages, except you use the money for home improvements. Interest rates are usually low and payments and terms are negotiable. There are many lenders who offer this mortgage, so ask around or go to your local bank to see if there is someone who can help you. There are more papers to fill out and you must get an energy audit before applying for an EEM. The energy auditor can assist you and the lender in getting everything ready for the application process of the EEM. It takes the work off of both you and the lender.

By making home improvements you can save a lot of money on your utility bills and at the same time conserve energy. It's a win-win situation for both your pocket book and environment.