In one sentence, describe what the following article is about:

Conserving energy sometimes requires making small sacrifices, and getting more familiar with the heat of summer is one of them. Leaving the air conditioner on all the time is a great way to use loads of energy and keep your electricity bills high.  Turn off the air conditioner when you aren't home. There's no reason for your house to stay cool while you're at work. Use the air conditioner in just one or two rooms where you spend the most time. Close the doors in the air conditioned rooms to keep the cool air inside. Cool off in other ways. Take a cool shower in the heat of the day, go to the pool, or spend time under a shade tree. Try to limit your use of the air conditioner to just a few hours a day. Heating a home is another big energy drain. It's possible to reduce the amount of energy you use by simply lowering the thermostat by a few degrees in the winter. Keep warm by wearing multiple layers of clothing and  throw blankets over you. Keeping the cool or warm air in, depending on the season, is an important way to save energy. If a window gets left open, your air conditioner or furnace has to go into overdrive to keep things at a steady temperature.  Hire a contractor to take a look at your home and determine whether better insulation is required around the basement, foundation, attic, and other areas. Use caulk and seals to seal the cracks around your doors and windows. Use plastic sheeting over your windows during the winter to keep drafty air out of the house. Taking shorter, cooler showers reduces the amount of water your water heater needs to heat on a daily basis. Washing your clothes on the cold setting is another way to avoid using too much hot water.

Summary:
Turn off the air conditioner. Keep your house a few degrees cooler in the winter. Insulate your house. Use less hot water.