Record high temperatures across the Brazos Valley made for record high utility bills in residents' mailboxes. According to Bryan Texas Utilities, the heat wave experienced last week is not yet reflected on most bills.

News Three asked BTU's Allen Wood for practical tips to lower a utility bill. Landscaping for shade was one of the first things Wood pointed out.

"We can show that with just a simple thermometer readings here on the ground," said Wood, using a thermometer gun. "94 degrees in the shade. We shoot over into the sun110 degrees."

Provide shade for a home's shingles and resident's won't have to touch the thermostat as often. Shade on windows has the same effect.

"A solar screen is just a different type of material," said Wood, pointing to a window screen. The screens can reduce a home's air conditioning load by 10-15%.

"This is another way of adding a layer of protection. It is not different than having sun block on your skin, you can't ever have too much," said Wood.

Inside, the solar screens don't prevent light, just some heat.

"Every degree that you can cut down coming into the home is one degree that AC doesn't have to cool off," said Wood.

Wood also recommended turning ceiling fans off upon leaving a room.

"Its an accumulative effect, per day, its miniscule, but over the yearly average you calculate it up, you could be talking several hundred dollars," said Wood.

A little cash spent on caulking and weather stripping can also have big payoffs.

"Everyone of those cracks that you can see, you add it up throughout the home and its sometimes equivalent to leaving a door open all day long," said Wood.

Not shelling out on a new air filter every month will eventually make the unit work harder, and cost more. However, skimping on a cheap filter won't mean savings.

When it comes to saving on utility bills, it's the little things that add up to a big difference.

Switching to CFL lightbulbs will not only reduce the amount of energy used, but also cut down on heat. An incandescent light bulb turns 90%of the electricity it uses, into heat. Both BTU and College Station utilities have rebate programs for customers who buy the bulbs.

When trying to reduce energy costs, phantom power use should also be considered. Cell phone chargers, televisions, coffee makers, and video game systems all use energy even when they're not turned on.

Phantom power can make up 10% of a home's electricity usage.