Jul. 6--Energy bills tend to rise along with the temperature as people try to stay cool. But small and large adjustments at home -- from stocking the fridge to investing in solar power -- can increase efficiency and reduce costs throughout the year.

Energy-efficient appliances are becoming more popular, said J.C. Woods, spokesman for Mr. Appliance Inc., North America's largest appliance repair franchise. "Manufacturers are making a big push," he said. "They are seeing that people want to buy energy-efficient appliances. They're buying hybrid cars. They know it's a marketing tool as well as just a great way to help the environment." Consumers should look for the Energy Star label, products that meet energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy. "More and more Americans, and certainly more Southern Californians, are adopting Energy Star to save money, energy and the environment," said Gene Rodrigues, Southern California Edison's director of energy efficiency.

Edison customers can receive a $50 rebate when buying an Energy Star refrigerator, and can turn in an old model for $35, he said. To save energy on a smaller scale, Woods suggested adjusting your use of the refrigerator. A well-stocked fridge uses less energy than an empty one because it has less area to cool, he said. Check the coils underneath or behind the refrigerator and clean the dust off if necessary and make sure the door seals tightly, Rodrigues said. Those with central air conditioning can also save energy and money, he said. Check the air filter once a month and set the thermostat to work when you need it, he said.

"If your air conditioning is set at 72 degrees constantly, night and day, you're probably wasting energy you don't need to use," Rodrigues said. "Set the thermostat a few degrees higher -- 76 or sometimes even 78 and you can still be comfortable while y u're at home." Many electronics, including cell phone chargers, stereo equipment and monitors go to stand-by mode. "That means 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, they're still using energy to keep them ready to turn on easily," he said. That adds up over time, he said. These devices should be plugged into a power strip and turned off when not in use, Rodrigues said.

Edison offers free energy audits and tips on saving energy on its Web site, www.sce.com. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has pushed his Million Solar Roofs plan to reduce greenhouse gases. Homeowners should take some precautions when considering their options, said Melanie Bedwell, a Contractors State License Board representative. "Hiring a licensed contractor is critical to have the job done not only as professionally as possible, but also to prevent any mishaps with the project itself," she said. A homeowner should get at least three bids for a project and check contractors' licensing and qualifications, Bedwell said.