Summer Electricity Bill Tips

Set your AC to 78°F when home, 85°F when away. Each degree above 72°F saves 3-5% on cooling costs.

• Use a programmable or smart thermostat
• Pre-cool your home before peak hours (4-9 PM)
• Don't set AC lower than 68°F—it won't cool faster

Fans make rooms feel 4-6°F cooler, letting you raise the thermostat without discomfort.

• Run fans counterclockwise in summer
• Turn off fans when leaving the room
• Fans cool people, not rooms

If you're on time-of-use rates, run appliances before 4 PM or after 9 PM.

• Run dishwasher and laundry at night
• Charge EVs overnight
• Use delay timers on appliances

Up to 30% of cooling costs come from heat entering through windows.

• Close blinds on south/west-facing windows
• Use blackout curtains during peak sun
• Apply window film for permanent reduction

LEDs produce 90% less heat than incandescent bulbs, reducing AC load.

• Replace bulbs in high-use areas first
• LEDs last 25x longer than incandescent
• Look for ENERGY STAR certification

Gaps around doors and windows let cool air escape and hot air enter.

• Check weatherstripping on doors
• Caulk around window frames
• Seal gaps around electrical outlets