Nature doesn’t appear willing to cut consumers a break. Neither does the economy.

Longer, colder winters turn quickly into prolonged, hotter summers. To add insult to injury, it seems to be happening while the cost of energy is skyrocketing.

Days of 90-degrees-plus have tested the endurance of even those who thrive on sultry weather. As household electric meters spin at warp speed, how can you rein in energy costs “and remain as comfortable as possible?

“My first response would be to add insulation to ensure a well-sealed house, but if homeowners cannot manage it in the middle of a heat wave, I understand,” said Ronnie Kweller, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy in Washington.

A no-heavy-lifting alternative: buying an Energy Star-rated programmable thermostat for as little as $25. “When the house is empty, the thermostat could be turned up and set to have the temperature drop to more comfortable levels by the time you arrive home,” Kweller said. Just doing that can cut energy expenses by 10 percent, she said, adding that the cost of cooling a house in summer averages about 12 percent of your annual bill.

Most utility companies and energy-efficiency advocates recommend raising the thermostat to 78 degrees when you’re home, 85 degrees when you’re away. Based on a 2,400-square-foot house, the savings-per-degree equals $4.

Other fairly easy ways to chill a bit include replacing furnace/air-conditioning filters regularly, as recommended by the manufacturer; closing blinds, curtains and shades on the sunny side of the house, and using energy-efficient lights that don’t produce a lot of heat — or just shutting off the lights when you leave a room.

A variety of sources offer ways to cut costs while staying if not cool, then less hot — for longer-term solutions, you may well have to install that extra insulation, or replace older air conditioners or central-air systems:

Massachusetts utility company NStar, among others, suggests using a ceiling fan in hot weather, to create a cool breeze and keep air circulating.

To get rid of hot air while you’re cooking, turn on an exhaust fan; the savings on cooling costs will far outweigh the electricity used by the fan.

Instead of using your oven or stove, which will generate even more heat, fire up the outdoor grill.

Take lukewarm showers and baths to avoid humid air, which holds heat. Make sure you have the right sized dehumidifier for your home. They can be a big drain on power.

Not all energy-saving measures have to do with keeping comfortable. And some measures require an explanation.

The California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center says that “having lots of food in your fridge keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open.”

A corollary to this: Let hot items cool down before placing them in the refrigerator, so it doesn’t have to work as hard to cool them.