Many of us just accept that our electric bills will be higher during the summer. Between the kids being home from school for summer break and using extra power than normal and higher summer temperatures causing us to run our AC more often, it seems inevitable that our utility bills will be eye-popping. However, even with so much stacked against you, there are ways to keep your electricity costs down during the summer months.

What Can I Do to Keep My Home’s Electric Bill Low During Summer?

Just as there are several reasons that your electric bill can spike during the summer, there are more than a few ways to save energy and money when the temperatures rise in summer. Here are tips for keeping your home’s electric bill low during the summer:

• Keep Your AC Off When You Can – Most of the time your AC is going to be on during the summer. However, there are moments where you can keep it off or keep the thermostat set to a higher-than-normal temperature. When you do this, it can save you more money on your electricity bill than you may realize. The best times to turn your AC off or keep it set to a higher temperature are at night and when no one is home. At night, the outdoor temperatures are generally lower, which means you can go without AC or at least keep your thermostat set to a hot temperature. In addition, when no one is home (including pets of course), then you can keep the AC off or set to an elevated temperature without worrying about it making your home uncomfortable or even unlivable. Also, another great time to keep your AC off or at least set your thermostat to a higher temperature is when you and your family go out of town on a summer vacation.
• Use Energy Saving Lightbulbs and appliances – There are a lot of great energy saving devices on the market. LED and compact fluorescent lightbulbs are a fantastic alternative to standard lightbulbs. They are more energy efficient, last longer, and are brighter. In addition, investing in energy efficient appliances, such as microwaves, stoves/ovens, dishwashers, laundry machines, water heaters, and refrigerators, can help keep your utility bills low as well. Energy efficient appliances are built to match the output of standard appliances but don’t need as much energy to do it. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency applies the Energy Star label to the most energy efficient appliances.
• Make Cooking Out a Part of Your Weekly Schedule – Grilling out is a wonderful way to take advantage of the summer weather and break the monotony of weekday or weekend dinnertimes. Plus, using your outdoor grill instead of your kitchen appliances (depending on your grill’s power source) can help you avoid using electricity, which can help keep your power bill low.
• Use a Programmable Thermostat – Programmable thermostats allow you to control what the temperature is in your home at various times of the day and night whether you are there or not. For example, maybe during the day you and your family are not at home most of the time, then you can program your thermostat to keep the AC off or set the temperature higher, such as 85 degrees, while you’re away from home. You can also schedule it to cool your home before you get back in the evening and then turn off or set the temperature higher after you go to bed. This helps you keep your electric bills low by not having your AC run during times of the day when it is unnecessary.
• Inspect Your Home’s Insulation – Check your home for any leaks, cracks, or other openings in your insulation. Having warm air from outside entering your home through gaps in your insulation can cause your energy bill to spike. In addition, the cool air produced by your AC can leak out of your home through those same openings, which will raise your electric bill as well. Making sure that your home’s insulation doesn’t have any gaps or openings can help save you money on your electricity bills.
• Hang Dry Your Clothes – Even if they are energy efficient, certain large appliances, like your clothes dryer, still use a lot of power. One way to get around this and save energy is to avoid using them if possible. For example, if the weather is cooperative, you can hang some of your laundry on a clothesline outside and let the summer sun dry them off instead of using your clothes dryer.
• Keep Your AC Vents Clean and Replace Your Filters – Replacing dirty filters and keeping your vents clean can help your HVAC system work more efficiently. The more efficiently your AC is running, the more energy efficient it will be, which can save you money on your electricity bill.
• Use Curtains and Blinds – Blackout curtains and blinds are a fantastic way to keep your home cooler. You can use them to block out the sunlight from entering your home through your windows and heating your home up. The lower you can keep the temperature in your home without using your AC, the lower you can keep your power bill.
• Open Your Windows If and When Possible – At certain times of the day, you may be able to get away with turning off your AC and opening your windows and doors and allowing the summer breeze to keep your home cool.
• Use Your Ceiling Fans – Ceiling fans are great for helping you feel cooler. You can use them with your AC, which enables you to keep your thermostat set to a higher temperature without having your home feel uncomfortably warm. And at times of the day or night when outside temperatures are milder, you can turn off your AC and just use your ceiling fans.

Discuss Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill with Our Energy Saving Experts Today!

Carter Services has been the top provider of appliance repair, plumbing, electrical, and heating & air conditioning services for residential and commercial customers in Torrance and its surrounding areas since 1974. We know how a season change can play havoc with your utility bills. We also understand how to help your appliances, HVAC unit, and electrical system operate more efficiently, so that you can save energy and keep your electricity bills from skyrocketing during the summer.

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To speak with one of our licensed & insured technicians about your situation, or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (310) 872-1898 or reach out to us online. Ask us about our coupons and our Care Plan!