How much do you spend on electricity during the summer? Would you like to learn effective ways to lower your electric bill?
Like many households, your electricity costs likely rise as temperatures climb. It’s natural to run the air conditioner more when it’s hot outside, but that increased usage can lead to a noticeable spike in your monthly bill.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average electric bill in the U.S. is about $117 per month, but summer usage often pushes that figure higher for many families.
Walking into a cool home after being outside on a hot day feels great, yet keeping indoor temperatures comfortable can add up quickly. Fortunately, there are many practical steps you can take to lower your electric bill in summer without sacrificing comfort.
Some tips are straightforward—such as raising your thermostat a few degrees—but others are less obvious, like sealing drafts or changing when you run heat-generating appliances. Below you’ll find a mix of common-sense and often-overlooked strategies to reduce summer electricity use, save money, and reduce waste.
Saving energy not only benefits your budget but also reduces your environmental footprint. These changes are a win-win: lower bills and less electricity consumption.
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How to lower your electric bill in summer
Use your air conditioner less
Reducing AC use is one of the most direct ways to cut summer electric bills, though it can be challenging in very hot climates. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78°F when you’re at home to balance comfort and efficiency. If that feels too warm at first, try increasing the temperature a degree or two at a time until you reach a comfortable compromise.
Switch to a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats are reasonably priced and can pay for themselves by automating temperature adjustments. Schedule your thermostat to raise temperatures while you’re away and lower them when you return, or cool less at night. This reduces wasted cooling and keeps energy use steady without constant manual adjustments.
Use more fans
Fans—ceiling, portable, or box fans—help air circulate and make rooms feel cooler without dropping the thermostat as much. Use fans in occupied rooms to allow setting the AC a few degrees higher. Remember to turn fans off when no one is in the room, since fans cool people, not rooms, and running them unnecessarily wastes electricity.
Block out harsh sun
Direct sunlight heats indoor spaces. Keep blinds or curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day, and consider blackout or thermal curtains to reduce heat gain. Light-colored window coverings reflect heat better than dark ones, which absorb warmth and can raise indoor temperatures.
Cook and do chores at night
Heat-generating activities such as cooking (especially baking) and vigorous cleaning make your AC work harder. Whenever possible, use the grill, Instant Pot, microwave, or plan oven-intensive tasks for cooler evenings. Reducing internal heat sources helps your air conditioner run less and lowers energy use.
Take care of your air conditioning system
Routine maintenance can improve efficiency and extend your system’s lifespan. Replace filters regularly, clear debris from outdoor units, and schedule annual professional tune-ups. Investing a little in upkeep prevents the AC from using extra energy to compensate for poor performance.
Unplug unused electronics
Many devices draw power even when turned off. Unplug chargers, TVs, computers, and other electronics when they’re not in use, or use smart power strips to cut phantom loads. These small reductions add up over time.
Turn off lights around your home
While lighting typically represents a modest portion of total usage, turning off lights in empty rooms is an easy habit that saves energy and prolongs bulb life. Use task lighting or LED bulbs to reduce consumption further.
Use budget billing
Budget billing plans average your prior year’s electricity costs and split them into equal monthly payments. This doesn’t reduce total energy use, but it helps stabilize monthly expenses and avoids seasonal bill shocks. Keep in mind that higher usage can increase next year’s average if you don’t curtail consumption.
Keep your home sealed
Sealing gaps with fresh weatherstripping or caulk around windows and doors keeps cooled air inside and hot air out. Consider storm windows or additional glazing where appropriate. Proper sealing improves comfort year-round and reduces both cooling and heating costs.
Take short, cool showers
Long, hot showers add humidity and heat to your home and increase water heating energy. Shortening showers by just a couple of minutes saves gallons of water and reduces the energy needed to heat it—helpful for both summer cooling and monthly bills.
Local programs that can help
If you live in Texas, services that shop the electricity market for you can help find better rates based on your usage, potentially saving hundreds per year. In California, programs that reward reduced usage during peak demand periods can pay members for cutting energy during short, scheduled events. Check local options available in your area for incentives and programs tailored to your utility region.
How can I lower my AC bill this summer?
To recap, there are many practical steps to lower your summer electric bill: use the AC less when possible, set a higher thermostat, install a programmable thermostat, use fans, block direct sunlight, avoid heat-generating chores during hot hours, maintain the AC, unplug idle electronics, and seal your home. Combining several of these measures will deliver the best results.
I hope these tips help you save money and energy this summer—stay cool!
What is your average summer electric bill? Do you have tips for lowering electricity use in summer? Share your suggestions in the comments below.