11 Summer Energy Saving Tips: Reduce Your Electric Bill

How to save energy in the summer

This article lists the most impactful summer energy-saving tips to help keep bills and costs low during the hottest part of the year.

It’s not unusual for energy bills to spike as the scorching summer heat sets in. With air conditioners running around the clock, the cost of keeping your home cool can quickly skyrocket.

11 tips to reduce your summer electric bills

In order from most to least effective, here are the best tips to keep summer energy costs down.

1. Set your thermostat to 76-78° or higher

During the summer, your air conditioner is the most expensive energy consumer at your home.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 78° Fahrenheit (25.5° Celsius) is the best temperature setting to use at home during the summer.

78° sounds warm, but when you walk inside on a 100° day, it will feel very comfortable.

2. Turn on your ceiling fans

Worried about setting your thermostat to 78°? Ceiling fans are here to save the day.

The wind chill effect from a ceiling fan can make a room feel between 4-8° cooler. Plus, ceiling fans use very, very little electricity.

To maximize the benefits of ceiling fans and ensure optimal energy efficiency, follow these simple steps:

Rotation: During the summer, your ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise to create a cooling downward airflow.
Speed: Higher speeds create a stronger breeze, making you feel cooler. Use the highest speed setting at the hottest times of day and slower speeds when it’s cooler later in the evening.
On and Off: Fans are designed to cool people, not rooms. Always remember to turn a fan off when you move to another area of the house.

3. Use your thermostat efficiently

There’s more to using your thermostat during the summer than just setting it between 76-78°.

Follow these summer thermostat setting tips to optimize the operation of your air conditioner:

Increase your thermostat’s temperature settings when you’re away for at least a few hours
When you return, stairstep your thermostat settings one degree at a time to avoid running your system too hard — it will not make your home cooler faster, but it will cost more money
Consider installing a smart or programmable thermostat to make managing your home’s indoor temperatures easier
Pre-cool your home at night — it is more efficient to cool a home a night, helps keep the home cooler longer during the day, and can reduce your need to run the AC

4. Use less hot water

Heating water can account for up to 20% of your home’s electricity consumption.

To help keep your summer electric bills lower, consider the following steps to reduce your water heating costs:

Reduce the heat settings on your water heater
Run your washing machine with cold water
Take shorter colder showers
Install a tankless water heater

5. Turn off the lights and use natural lighting

During a sunny day, there’s plenty of sunlight to keep your home bright without using your lightbulbs. So, turn the lights off, it’s free.

That’s not all; natural light has been linked to improved mood, productivity, and overall well-being.

6. Switch to LED lightbulbs

If you need the lights on, make sure you have LED bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.

LEDs are superior to incandescents because they:

Use significantly less energy to produce the same amount of light
Last longer
Generate less heat when in use

7. Shade your windows to keep out the heat

Close the blinds and curtains on your south and west-facing windows during the day to keep out the heat.

Strategic shading helps block out direct sunlight and keep your home from overheating, reducing the amount of power your AC unit must consume to keep your home cool.

Here are the best ways to shade your windows:

Window treatments like blinds, shades, curtains, and reflective films
Awnings, pagodas, and trellises – particularly on the south and west-facing sides of your home
Deciduous trees that provide maximum shade during summer but lose their leaves and provide more ambient light in the winter

8. Maintain your HVAC system for peak energy efficiency

HVAC systems that operate at peak efficiency have longer life spans and can cool your home quicker.

Here are some quick maintenance tips to ensure that your air conditioner is running optimally:

Clean and replace clogged or dirty filters.
Remove dirt and debris from the evaporator and condenser coils.
Clear the drain line of water backups.

9. Insulate your home and seal air leaks

A properly insulated home without air leaks is much easier to keep cool for two reasons:

Your air conditioner doesn’t have to compete with hot air coming inside
The cold air pumped through your vents doesn’t leak outside

Here are some quick tips to improve your home’s insulation and seal air leaks:

Seal cracks around windows and doors with caulk or weatherstripping
Consider upgrading insulation in your attic
Install blinds, shades, or reflective films on windows to minimize heat gain from sunlight

10. Unplug unused electronics

Some electronics in your home use power even when they’re turned off and you’re not using them.

By unplugging them, you eliminate “phantom” energy draingage when those electronics are turned off or on standby.
Utilizing smart power strips with integrated switches that can simultaneously cut off power to multiple devices to prevent energy waste.

11. Limit indoor heat generation from appliances and cooking

Your dishwasher, laundry machines, oven, and stove generate a lot of heat when in use, which forces your air conditioning system to work harder to keep your home comfortable when it is hot.

Follow these tips to help reduce indoor heat generation:

Cook outside on a grill to prevent heat gain from the stove or oven
Run your appliances in the morning or at night
Only run your dishwasher or laundry machines with full loads

Consume less energy, lower bills & reduce stress on the grid

Why lowering your electric bill in summer is important

High electricity bills strain your budget and dent your finances – which can be particularly frustrating during summer when you likely have a heap of fun family outings and activities planned. By actively working to reduce energy consumption, you can significantly lower your monthly expenses and allocate the savings toward other priorities and investments.

However, lower electric bills aren’t the only advantage. Learning how to lower electric bills in summer comes with several other benefits too:

Minimizing the risk of blackouts and power shortages by alleviating strain on the electrical grid.
Mitigating your carbon footprint.
Cultivating a more energy-conscious mindset to promote a generally more sustainable future.

Energy-efficiency benefits

Doing more to reduce your energy bills results in several financial and practical benefits, some of which may not be as immediately apparent as others:

Comfort – Energy efficiency improvements result in a cooler, more comfortable living environment during days of relentless direct sunlight.
Appliance efficiency – Energy-efficient appliances and cooling systems tend to have an extended lifespan, saving you more money in the long term.
Reduced AC reliance – Implementing measures to minimize heat gain in your home keeps living spaces cooler without relying solely on AC.
Improved air quality – Energy-efficient homes have better ventilation systems that filter out pollutants, dust, and allergens.

With energy costs continuing to fluctuate and the environmental impacts of excessive energy consumption becoming ever more apparent, it’s crucial that as many people as possible begin adopting energy use best practices.

While there’s a lot to consider, understanding how to lower your electric bill in summer and implementing energy-saving practices is not as complex as you may have previously thought – and many of the tips and tricks for reducing your energy consumption are easy to apply without excessive effort or investment.

Recap and final summer energy saving tips

Let’s recap the primary considerations and strategies for lowering energy consumption and electricity bills throughout the summer heatwave:

Regular HVAC maintenance is essential in achieving meaningful energy reductions.
Proper insulation and sealing minimize heat transfer and air leaks.
Energy Star-rated appliances are the best choice for power-conscious homes.
Utilizing smart power strips and unplugging unused devices eliminates ‘phantom’ energy use.
Using natural light and creating strategic shade reduces the need for excessive cooling.
Natural cooling methods can significantly decrease your reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems.
Programmable and smart thermostats offer multiple energy-saving features and comfort customizations.
Properly utilized ceiling fans are an essential component in keeping your home cool.
Limiting heat-generating activities can significantly lower the inside temperature.
Energy-efficient lighting solutions create a more sustainable living environment.
Switching to a cleaner energy solution allows you to save on utility bills while also reducing your carbon footprint and playing your part in mitigating climate change.

One of the best ways to reduce your summer utility bill is to choose a reliable energy supplier and sign up to a simple and straightforward energy plan. You can contact the helpful team at BVK anytime to get more information, discuss your needs, and learn about your consumer rights.

Long-term benefits of energy efficiency

Being proactive in adopting energy-efficiency measures is about way more than the short-term savings you’ll make on electricity bills. Longer-term benefits include:

Enhanced comfort and air quality – Improved insulation, better temperature control, and more efficient ventilation systems lead to a healthier indoor air quality.
Future-proof against rising energy costs – Homeowners that invest in energy efficiency have protection against escalating energy prices as they are less vulnerable to market fluctuations.
Increased property value – Energy-efficient upgrades like insulation, energy-efficient appliances, and solar panels are deemed highly sought-after features by environmentally conscious buyers.

Written by Graham Lumley

Graham Lumley, Growth Product Manager at BKV Energy, leads digital and traditional marketing strategies, focusing on educating Texans about the state's deregulated energy market. With over 10 years of marketing experience, he creates content to help consumers understand and save on their energy bills, bringing a fresh and dynamic approach to the industry.

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