6 Energy-Saving Tips for Beating the Summer Heat & Your Electricity Bills

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The sun is up and in full blast, which is how many of us know that summer is finally upon us. Great news, for the most part! What’s not so great is we may need to counter the searing heat with full-blast air conditioners. Not such a good idea if you’re looking to save on energy bills—and most of us who aren’t billionaires are!

To help you save energy during summer and the rest of the year, we’ve compiled eight awesome ways to stay cool and comfy while not overworking your air conditioner. Because let’s be honest, it’s usually the reason our energy bills reflect higher-than-usual numbers during this time of year. 

But won’t keeping the AC low or turned off result in uncomfortable living conditions? Not if you follow these six tips!

Tip #1: Inspect Your air Filter and Change it if Necessary

This is such an uncomplicated step that goes a long way to reducing those summer energy bills. Despite that, many overlook this simple inspection that can also take a toll on their air conditioners.

With the AC filter all covered in dirt, your machine has to work twice as hard to cool your home. That could take it beyond its limit, considering it’s the summer. 

Inspect the filter frequently (every month) to see if dust has built up. If it’s starting to, change the filter. This could have you slashing a considerable amount of your summer and yearly energy bills in turn. 

A good practice is to change your filter monthly, but two to three months is also fine. Just note that the latter might already lead to a significant increase in your energy bills. 

Tip #2: Energy-Efficient Products are the way to go

Yes, energy-saving products are all the rage these days, and with good reason! They help cut down on those winter and summer energy bills like nobody’s business. 

We aren’t suggesting you go for the expensive energy-star-rated products to start. You can go for more affordable, lower-tiered ACs to reduce the energy-wasting caused by your old and beat-up air conditioner that has long run its course. 

Tip #3: Use Fans Over air Conditioning When you can

We love our ACs, but ceiling fans are the true MVP of the summer for energy saving. Some summer days are more bearable than others, and this is when you’ll want to take full advantage of your ceiling fans.

These appliances give your HVAC systems (and electric bills) the necessary respite from days of being rundown because of the scorching heat. 

Tip #4: Use Your Oven Only When it’s Absolutely Necessary

We love our oven, and it doles out some of the most sumptuous baked goods, but it’s not the most summer-friendly appliance. It not only uses up tons of energy, but it also takes indoor heat up several levels. 

Your AC will have its job cut out for it even more, when the oven comes into play. Thus, consider letting the appliance hibernate for the summer and only wake it up when you absolutely have to. 

You may need to turn up the thermostat when you do, depending on the heat. However, make sure those times are few and far between. 

In any case, there are energy-efficient versions of the following energy-wasting appliances. Consider investing in those you can’t live without using, even if it’s only for a few months. 

• Oven
• Air fryer
• Toaster oven
• Instant pot

Tip #5: Cook Outdoors

If you have fun in the sun, then you can cook in the sun, right? That said, schedule backyard barbecues on days when the sun is a little friendlier, and there’s a bit of wind to keep you cool.

More often than not, you will want to pick evenings over mornings and afternoons. Also, cooking outdoors means you aren’t adding to the heat inside your home, keeping it cool and reducing your AC’s workload. 

Tip #6: Do air Leak Inspections and Replace the Weatherstripping if Necessary 

While you can certainly hire a professional to do this, it would be better to do it yourself to save money. 

There’s nothing to it. You just look for drafts in your home acting as exits for cool indoor air and entryways for heated outdoor air. These leaks are typically found in the following areas:

• Windows
• Wiring holes
• Vents
• Recessed lights
• Doors

If you feel air blowing across your hand, you’ve found yourself a leak. That tells you the weather stripping is a bit old and needs to be replaced. Pay a visit to your local hardware to shop for the supplies you need and DIY the replacement and installation.

An Energy-Saving Summer!

Summer is all about the heat, but many of us want to stay cool while indoors. These tips ensure that your AC and energy bills, in turn, don’t get a beating as you attempt to fight off the rising temperatures on some summer days.