5 Ways to Lower Your Energy Bills This Summer

When I was in college, I shared an apartment with my best friend. Fortunately, we were both on the same page with saving money on our electric bill. Unfortunately, that meant not using the A/C until we were about to faint. I still have fond memories of laying on our second hand sectional, motionless with my arms and legs stretched out, staring at the rotating ceiling fan in disbelief of how hot an apartment can get. Needless to say, we did indeed have the lowest electric bill of our friends.

Now that I’m older and a little wiser, I know of other ways to save some money without turning an apartment into a sauna. Here are 5 ways to save on your energy bill this summer.

Don’t Use the Oven

The oven generates heat (Captain Obvious here) so the best way to keep your house cool without making your A/C work harder than it needs to be is to avoid using the oven. You can make more meals that don’t require heat like salads or sandwiches. If that isn’t your thing, you could enjoy the weather and fire up the grill.

Open Your Windows

Try opening your windows to let air in before turning your A/C on. Depending on the climate in your area, this along with the ceiling fans may be enough to keep your house comfortable. I live in South Carolina, so at the height of summer, this only works in the morning and evenings. Once the temperature rises in the afternoon, we close the windows and admit defeat.

Raise the Thermostat

When you go to work, set the thermostat to 78 degrees. This will ensure that the air isn’t blasting for no reason. It also makes sure that the temperature won’t be unbearable for any house pets or sensitive things that need to be kept near room temperature. The higher you can push this, the less you’ll pay in the long run.

Close the Blinds

I love having natural light from the sun beam into my bedroom. However, all that sunlight can heat up your home. When it gets too hot to have the windows open for air, keep your house cool by closing and covering your windows with curtains. If you don’t have curtains, then at least close your blinds to combat the excess heat. Your air conditioning will thank you.

Take a Cold Shower/Bath

Just like the oven and the sun, the temperature of your house can change because of the heat from your shower. Try taking colder showers in the summer months. I say try because I still can’t take cold showers – just lukewarm so far.

Extreme temperatures can make your energy bill skyrocket if you’re not careful. By utilizing all (or at least most) of these tips, the impact on your budget won’t be as intense.