The cost of keeping a home cool during the summer months can increase the monthly utility bill and place added stress on a household budget. But it doesn’t have to be that way if you know what measures to take to make your home more energy efficient.

Several Web sites serve up a wealth of energy cost saving tips for the summer season. Here are a few good ones:

¢ Alliance to Save Energy

Offers a variety of money-saving energy practices and improvements for the summer.

¢ California Energy Commission

Features 10 categories that provides useful energy-saving information.

¢ Home Energy Saver

Enter your zip code to begin calculating energy-saving information.

¢ Natural Resources Defense Council

Contains five general energy-saving tips to help conserve electricity and cut the home energy bill.