Discover energy-saving tips to lower your cooling bills this summer and keep your home comfortable without breaking the bank.
Energy-Saving Tips to Lower Your Cooling Bills This Summer
Summer is here, and while it’s great to enjoy the warm weather, it can also mean higher energy bills. Running the air conditioner all day can quickly get expensive, especially during a heatwave. The good news is that there are simple ways to keep your home comfortable without driving up your costs.
By making a few smart changes, you can stay cool, lower your electricity use, and save money. These tips don’t require complicated upgrades or huge lifestyle changes. They’re practical, easy to follow, and they work. Whether you own your home or rent, you can use these ideas to take some pressure off your cooling system and your budget. Let’s take a look.
1. Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Cooling System
If your air conditioner is more than 10–15 years old, it may be using far more energy than it should. Older systems work harder to deliver the same comfort, which means higher utility bills for you. Newer models are designed to run more efficiently, helping you save energy while keeping your home comfortable.
If you live in a home without existing ductwork, consider ductless mini split installation. These systems are compact, efficient, and allow you to cool specific rooms without the need for major renovations. They also give you more control over individual room temperatures, so you can save energy by cooling only the spaces you use most.
When upgrading, make sure you choose the right size system for your home. An oversized or undersized unit will waste energy and make it harder to keep your home at the temperature you want. An HVAC professional can recommend the best option based on your home’s layout and cooling needs.
2. Use Your Thermostat Wisely
Your thermostat can be one of the most powerful tools for saving energy. Setting your AC just a few degrees higher than usual can make a big difference in your cooling costs. For example, aiming for 76–78°F when you’re home and raising it a bit more when you’re away can cut down on unnecessary energy use.
Smart thermostats make it easy to program temperature changes throughout the day. You can set them to cool your home just before you return or to adjust automatically while you’re asleep. Even basic programmable thermostats can help you avoid running your AC when it’s not needed.
If your unit has an “eco” or “energy saver” mode, take advantage of it. These modes are designed to balance comfort and efficiency, reducing the strain on your cooling system.
3. Keep Up with Regular AC Maintenance
A well-maintained air conditioner runs more efficiently and lasts longer. One of the simplest things you can do is clean or replace your air filter every one to three months during cooling season. A dirty air filter blocks airflow, making your system run harder and consume more electricity.
It’s also important to have your AC serviced at least once a year by a professional. During a tune-up, they’ll check the refrigerant levels, inspect the coils, clean the blower, and make sure everything is working as it should. This keeps your system running smoothly and helps prevent costly breakdowns in the middle of summer.
Don’t forget to keep the outdoor unit free from debris. Trim back any plants or bushes so there’s at least two feet of clearance around it. This allows for proper airflow and keeps the system from overheating.
4. Seal and Insulate Your Home
Even the best air conditioning system can’t do its job well if your home is leaking cool air. Gaps around windows, doors, and vents can let the cold escape and invite hot air inside. Sealing these leaks with weatherstripping or caulk can make a noticeable difference in comfort and efficiency.
Adding insulation is another way to improve your home’s ability to hold in cool air. Attics are one of the biggest sources of heat gain, so adding extra insulation there can help keep your home cooler. If your walls or floors are under-insulated, that’s another area worth addressing.
These upgrades may seem small, but together they can reduce the amount of work your AC needs to do. That means lower energy bills and a more comfortable home.
5. Use Fans to Support Your AC
Fans can help you stay comfortable without lowering the thermostat. Ceiling fans are especially useful because they circulate the cool air more evenly throughout a room. This makes it feel cooler even if the temperature is a few degrees higher.
In summer, adjust your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise so it moves cool air downward and creates a light breeze. Portable fans are also useful for cooling rooms that don’t receive enough airflow from your AC.
Using fans alongside your AC allows you to raise the thermostat slightly without feeling warmer. Since fans use far less energy than an air conditioner, this small change can lead to noticeable savings.
6. Block Out Heat During the Day
The sun can add a surprising amount of heat to your home, especially through windows. Closing blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day keeps that heat out and reduces the need for extra cooling.
Blackout curtains or heat-blocking shades are a good investment if you get a lot of direct sunlight. Even sheer curtains can help diffuse light and limit heat gain. If you like to keep some natural light, try closing just the blinds on the sunny side of your home while leaving the others open.
You can also add window films that reflect heat without blocking your view. These are easy to install and can be a cost-effective way to improve comfort and efficiency.
Summer doesn’t have to mean skyrocketing energy bills. By upgrading your system, using your thermostat smartly, keeping up with maintenance, sealing your home, using fans, and blocking heat, you can stay cool while spending less.
You don’t need to make all the changes at once—start with a few and see how much of a difference they make. The key is to find what works best for your home and your comfort. This summer, you can enjoy a cooler home and a lower bill at the same time.