Southern California is hot, but that doesn't mean your Valley Village apartment has to be. Follow these energy saving tips for a cool apartment all summer long.

1. Add plants to your apartment. Plants like ficus, bamboo, and palm can help keep your apartment cool.
2. Close your blinds during the heat of the day.  Closing your blinds can save you 7 % on your heating bills and can reduce heat by more than 10%.
3. Turn your fan to spin counterclockwise. 
4. Turn on the bathroom and oven fans to draw hot air out of your apartment.
5. Fill a mixing bowl with ice and position it at an angle in front of a large fan.  The air will be chilled.
6. Buy cotton sheets and light bedding.
7. Keep your refrigerator full.
8. Use your microwave instead of your oven or stove.
9. Close doors to rooms that aren't being used.