Use a fan with your window air conditioner to spread the cool air through your home.
Make sure your return air chamber is sealed, allowing only air that flows through the filter goes to your air handler or furnace.
Without blocking air flow, shade your outdoor condenser. Change air filters monthly during the summer.
Planting trees on south and west sides of your home will shade your house preventing it from heating up throughout the day.
Use programmable thermostat to adjust the settings when no one is home (no more than 5 degrees).
Don’t place lamps or TV’s near your thermostat. The heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer.
Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. Close curtains on south- and west-facing windows.
Install awnings on south-facing windows. Because of the angle of the sun, trees, a trellis, or a fence will best shade west facing windows. Apply sun control or other reflective films on south facing windows.
Avoid landscaping with lots of unshaded rocks, cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides. It will increase the temperature around the house and radiates heat into the house after the sun sets.