I don't know how many of you use your air conditioner during the summer, but in the Southwest you would have to be tough not too. While thinking about swamp coolers, I remembered a technique I saw while watching Living with Ed...
Depending on your local climate, the A/C condenser can be aided along with evaporative cooling. Placing water misters along the sides of the condenser will cool the ambient air up to 30F. The cooler the air the condensor receives, the less it has to work to liquify refrigerant.
As water is usually scarce in any areas this would be useful, I'd consider diverting waste water from showers, sinks, etc. to the misters. Just a thought.
- LostCause