As temperatures rise, so do energy bills. For many homeowners, summer means running the air conditioner almost nonstop just to stay comfortable. The good news is that keeping your home cool doesn’t have to drain your wallet. A few simple changes, combined with proper HVAC maintenance, can significantly lower your electric bill while keeping your family comfortable all season long.
Whether you’ve got a brand new AC or one that’s several years old, these practical tips can help you improve efficiency and lower your monthly electric bill.
1. Get Your Air Conditioning Serviced
One of the simplest ways to cut your summer energy costs is by getting your AC serviced by a pro before the summer heat kicks in.
Over time, dust, dirt, and normal wear can take a toll on your system’s efficiency. Your AC has to work harder to cool your home, which means it’s using more energy and putting extra strain on the components.
When a professional gives your system a tune-up, they will:
- Clean the condenser coils
- Check refrigerant levels
- Inspect electrical connections
- Lubricate any moving parts
- Replace or clean filters if they are clogged
- Test the thermostat to make sure it’s working correctly
- Make sure the entire system is operating efficiently
A well-maintained air conditioner is going to run more efficiently, meaning you will save energy while giving your equipment a longer lifespan.
2. Change Your Air Filter Regularly
A dirty air filter is one of the most common reasons an HVAC system loses efficiency.
When the filter gets clogged with dust, pet hair, and debris, airflow gets restricted. Your AC has to run longer to cool your home, which increases the use of electricity.
During the summer, check your filter every month. Most homes should replace the filter every one to three months, but that depends on:
- If you have pets in your home
- Whether there are any energy sufferers in the house
- If there is any construction going on nearby
- How often you use the AC
Replacing an inexpensive filter regularly can make a noticeable difference in both comfort and energy savings.
3. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
78 degrees is the temperature the U.S. Department of Energy recommends for when you’re at home. Although that sounds high, when the air is humid, temperatures will naturally feel hotter. Your AC is removing that humidity, so 78 degrees may feel a lot cooler than you think.
Using a programmable or smart thermostat helps eliminate wasted energy by automatically adjusting the temperature based on your schedule.
Instead of cooling an empty house all day, your thermostat can:
- Raise the temperature when you’re at work
- Start cooling before you return home
- Maintain comfortable temperatures overnight
- Adjust automatically based on who’s home
Raising the temperature a few degrees when you’re away from home can save you money on cooling costs. But if 78 degrees is a bit too hot for you, then set your thermostat to:
- 75 degrees F during the day if people are home and at night when people are asleep
- 80 degrees F during the day if no one is home
Many smart thermostats also give you energy reports so you can get a better sense of how your home is using energy.
4. Keep Your Outdoor Unit Clean
Your outdoor condenser unit needs some breathing room.
Leaves, grass clippings, weeds, and dirt around the unit restrict airflow, so the system has to work harder.
Take a few minutes throughout the summer to:
- Remove weeds around the unit
- Trim the shrubs to give it some space
- Get rid of any leaves and debris
- Give the coils a gently rinse with a garden hose if they get dirty
Never stack gardening tools, lawn furniture, or other objects against your outdoor unit. Proper airflow helps your system operate at peak efficiency.
5. Seal Air Leaks Around Your Home
Even the most efficient AC can’t keep up if cool air is just leaking out.
Small gaps around windows, doors, attic openings, and ductwork let conditioned air get out and hot air get in.
Simple improvements include:
- Adding weatherstripping to your doors
- Caulking around windows
- Sealing any attic penetrations
- Fixing leaky ductwork
- Insulating exposed ducts
Reducing air leaks means your AC doesn’t have to run as much to maintain the right temperature.
6. Close Curtains During the Hottest Part of the Day
Direct sunlight can really heat up your home. Closing blinds, curtains, or shades during the hottest parts of the day, particularly on south- and west-facing windows, can block solar heat from getting in. This can help lower your electric bill while keeping your rooms comfortable.
Blackout curtains or insulated window coverings can even give you extra energy savings by reducing heat gain.
Just making this simple habit a part of your summer routine can make your home noticeably cooler while giving your AC a break.
7. Use Ceiling Fans Correctly
Keeping the air moving in your home can help keep you more comfortable. If you have ceiling fans, leave them on to circulate the air in a room. If you don’t have ceiling fans, a few portable ones can be a decent alternative. Using a fan, you might be able to raise your thermostat 4 or 5 degrees and still stay comfortable. And you just might get to that 78 degree recommendation.
But remember that fans cool people, not rooms. Turn them off when you leave. And did you know that ceiling fans turn both clockwise and counterclockwise? In the summer, you want your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise. This enables the fan to push cool air down to the floor. (For winter, run your ceiling fans clockwise to push the warm air back down into the room).
8. Avoid Creating Extra Heat Indoors
Many of the things we do in our homes generate heat, which ends up forcing your air conditioner to work overtime.
During especially hot days, try to:
- Fire up the grill outdoors instead of cooking indoors
- Run the dishwasher overnight
- Do laundry during the evening when it’s cooler outside
- Use the microwave instead of the oven to cook small meals
- Turn off lights when you’re not using them
These small adjustments can make a big difference in how much heat your AC has to deal with.
9. Consider Upgrading an Older HVAC System
If your air conditioner is 12 to 15 years old or older, it may be costing you a lot more than you realize.
Older AC systems weren’t built with the same efficiency standards as newer ones, and over time they start to lose power.
Modern high-efficiency systems use a lot less electricity, operate much quieter, and even control humidity a lot better.
Replacing an old AC with a brand new one is a big investment. However, you’ll probably save money on a lower electric bill in the long run. Plus, you might even qualify for some utility rebates or tax breaks to help offset the cost.
It’s also worth noting that an HVAC professional can come and evaluate your current system to see if repairing or replacing it is the better option.
10. Don’t Ignore Warning Signs
An air conditioner that’s starting to decline will usually give you a few signs before it fails completely.
Watch for:
- Very high energy bills each month
- Warm air coming out of your vents
- Uneven cooling across different parts of your home
- The AC cycling on and off all the time
- Strange noises coming from the equipment
- Weird smells coming through the vents
- More humidity than usual inside the house
Catching these issues early can prevent more expensive repairs while keeping your system running smoothly all summer long.
Start Saving on Your Electric Bill Today
Lowering your summer electric bill doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your comfort or adding costly major home renovations. By making a few small changes to your daily routine and just being a bit more mindful of your energy usage, you can end up saving a money in the long run. By taking a proactive approach, you can stay cool and comfortable all summer long and keep your electric bills under control.
The most effective step you can take is to schedule a regular maintenance checkup for your AC. When it’s properly serviced, an AC runs more efficiently, lasts longer, and is less likely to breakdown at the worst possible moment.
If it’s been a while since your AC had a checkup, or you’re starting to notice higher energy bills, now is the perfect time to get it looked at. A professional inspection can help you identify where things are going wrong and come up with some suggestions for making your AC a lot more efficient, saving you a money on your energy bills and keeping your home cool all summery long.
Need Help Lowering Your Monthly Electric Bill?
Whether you need seasonal maintenance, AC repairs, or a new high-efficiency system, our experienced HVAC technicians are here to help. Contact us today to schedule your summer AC service and start saving on your energy costs.