Six Ways to Majorly Lower Your Electric Bill This Summer

As energy costs climb, finding smart ways to lower your summer electric bills — especially with the AC running non-stop — has never felt more important. There are several things you can do all year to offset electricity costs (like sealing off drafts and entry points), but the warm weather season comes with its own set of maintenance tasks and lifestyle changes. The following to-do list will make the most notable difference come bill time, and you can get started right now. 

1. Pick the right size AC unit for your space

If air conditioning is the main way you cool your home in the summer, make sure you don’t overdo or underdo it. The right-sized air conditioner isn’t the one that cools down your space the fastest; instead, it’s the one that can balance cooling the air with humidity removal.

If you have a unit that is undersized, you’ll be paying too much. An oversized unit will cool quickly, but the space will feel humid and warmer, which will prompt you to lower the temperature on your thermostat — and in turn, increase your energy bill. There are calculators online where you can match BTUs to square footage, which is sufficient for window units. For central air, it's best to consult a professional for an assessment.

2. Clean your AC filter and maintain the unit

Once you've found the right air conditioner, make sure you keep the AC filter clean and maintain the unit to keep it running efficiently. Dirty air filters can stop the air flow, which will ultimately cost you more money at the end of the month. Remove any mold from your unit before you run it, and if your filter is beyond cleaning, replace it. 

3. Be mindful of AC usage

The first two tasks on this list will lower your energy bill, but only moderately. Changing your lifestyle and coming up with ways to stay cool without AC is vital for significantly lowering your energy bill.

The first thing you can do is turn up your thermostat when you’re not home. When you are home, get your body used to temperatures that are just a little bit warmer. For example, if you usually need your home at 68°F during the summer, try a few days with it at 71°F. You’ll be surprised what your body can get used to, and how much it will lower your energy bill. 

4. Change the direction of your ceiling fan (and run it)

Running a ceiling fan in conjunction with your AC unit will help lower your energy costs because the fan makes you feel cooler, which allows you to more easily raise the room temperature without feeling uncomfortable. (Getting used to higher temperatures while remaining comfortable is so important!)

Remember that the fan direction matters: Run all ceiling fans in the counterclockwise direction in the summer, which will allow you to comfortably raise room temperatures up to 4°F. If you don't have ceiling fans currently, consider installing them.

5. Use heat-generating appliances at night

Most things you plug into the wall generate some type of heat, from your TV to your phone charger. But heat-producing appliances can raise the temperature of a room, causing you to run the air conditioner more frequently.

Don’t use ovens, dishwashers, or clothes dryers during the afternoon; use them in the morning or evening instead. If you need to cook or do laundry, opt for line drying or no-cook meals. 

6. Install smart blinds

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, window treatments can make a big difference in your energy costs in the winter and summer, especially if they are good quality with heat-reflective insides.

Consider installing energy-saving smart blinds that you can open and shut on your phone. (Shut them between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on especially hot days.) Some smart blinds will use a small amount of electricity, but the convenience will pay off when you keep the sun out, even on days you leave for work and forget to shut them.

This article was written by Lauren Thomann from Better Homes and Gardens and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.