Summer Budgets

Beat the heat and cut costs: Smart ways to make your home more energy efficient

With summer just around the corner and electricity bills expected to rise, here are some tips for saving money by improving your home’s energy efficiency.

YinYang

Corina González Calum Roche

Update: Jun 10th, 2025 12:57 EDT

As summer approaches, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) warns that energy bills may be higher than in previous years.

Their summer forecast for 2025 anticipates a nationwide average increase of 6.2 percent in energy bills, with regions like New England projected to experience a steeper rise of 20 percent. In 2024, the average electric bill paid in the summer was $737, with the forecasted amount expected to rise to $784 this year.

With the possibility of rising bills, here are some tips to help you save money...

How to reduce your electricity bill this summer

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, these simple tips can help you reduce your electricity bills or at least keep them at an affordable level during the summer:

Cover your windows:

To prevent heat from entering your home and reduce the need for air conditioning, it’s advisable to cover your windows with curtains or other window treatments. This can significantly lower indoor temperatures and lessen the strain on your cooling system.

Operate your thermostat efficiently:

The smaller the difference between the outside temperature and the temperature inside your home, the lower your electricity bill will be. Aim to set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature that isn’t too far from the outdoor temperature.

Here are a few specific strategies:

Set a Comfortable Temperature: During the summer, keeping your thermostat set to around 78°F (26°C) when you’re at home and need cooling is a good balance between comfort and energy savings.
Adjust When You’re Away: Raise the thermostat setting to a higher temperature when you’re away from home. This reduces the cooling system’s workload and saves energy. For example, increasing the temperature by 7-10°F for 8 hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on cooling and heating costs.
Use Programmable Thermostats: These devices can automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule, helping to minimize energy use when it’s not needed. This ensures your home is cool when you need it to be, without wasting energy while you’re away.

By covering your windows and managing your thermostat wisely, you can maintain a comfortable home environment and avoid excessive energy costs during the summer heat.

Look for other ventilation strategies

Air conditioning can lead to increased expenses, so consider using ceiling fans, as well as bathroom and kitchen fans, to help cool your home more efficiently. Use fans to your advantage:

Ceiling Fans: These can be an effective way to circulate air, making you feel cooler even at higher thermostat settings. Ensure your ceiling fans are set to rotate counterclockwise during the summer to push cool air downwards.
Bathroom and Kitchen Fans: Use these fans to remove heat and humidity generated by activities like cooking and showering. This helps keep your overall home temperature down, reducing the need for air conditioning.

Don’t forget to maintain your equipment

To ensure your cooling system operates efficiently, regular maintenance is crucial. This includes both cleaning and checking the components of the equipment. Here are some essential tips:

Schedule Regular Maintenance:

Routine inspections: Have your air conditioning system inspected and serviced by a professional at least once a year. This can help identify and fix potential issues before they become costly problems.

Cleaning components: Clean or replace air filters monthly or as recommended by the manufacturer. Dirty filters can restrict airflow and reduce efficiency, making your system work harder and consume more energy.

Beat the heat and cut costs: Smart ways to make your home more energy efficient — Deal with the summer temperatures with sensible living.Foto: Freepik

Efficient thermostat placement:

Avoid placing lamps, televisions, or other heat-generating devices near your air conditioner’s thermostat. These appliances can emit heat that the thermostat detects, causing the system to run longer than necessary to cool the room, thus increasing your energy usage.

Maintain airflow:

Clean air vents: Regularly vacuum or dust the air intake grilles to remove accumulated dust and debris. Clean vents allow your system to operate more efficiently by ensuring unobstructed airflow.