Homeowners are rethinking summer cooling costs as energy bills stay high

The best ways to lower your summer energy bills are to seal air leaks before the hottest months arrive, reduce indoor heat from everyday activities, and make strategic use of ceiling and portable fans. You should also upgrade window treatments to block solar heat and schedule preventive HVAC maintenance every year.

According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), the average US household will spend almost $800 on electricity this summer to cool their homes, which is a 10.5% increase from 2025. This is a huge financial burden, especially when you consider that this is just the average power bill; many Americans are paying much more on their utility bills.

We can’t stop paying energy bills, and neither can we stop Mother Nature. So what can we do?

What Is the Best Way To Lower Your Electric Bill?

It’s important to stay cool and comfortable during the summer, so doing nothing isn’t an option. Luckily, there are several ways to lower your electricity charges.

Seal Air Leaks Before the Hottest Months Arrive

One of the most cost-effective ways to lower summer cooling expenses is to keep conditioned air from escaping. Small gaps around the following places can allow cool air to leak out while letting hot outdoor air seep in:

Windows
Exterior doors
Attic hatches
Plumbing penetrations
Recessed lighting

To noticeably improve your home’s efficiency, you can apply weatherstripping, replace worn door sweeps, and seal cracks with caulk. You should also check ductwork in unconditioned spaces, as there may be leaks that are wasting cooled air before it ever reaches your living areas.

Reduce Indoor Heat From Everyday Activities

Many household activities generate unnecessary heat, such as:

Running the oven during the afternoon
Using a clothes dryer repeatedly
Operating heat-producing appliances during peak temperatures

There are great alternatives that are cooler, though. For instance, you can grill outdoors or prepare your meals with a microwave, slow cooker, or air fryer.

Another option is doing laundry during the evening. Even electronics such as PCs, gaming consoles, and older TVs can produce heat during extended use.

If you reduce internal heat gains, your cooling system has less work to do. This can help maintain a comfortable indoor environment while using less electricity.

Make Strategic Use of Ceiling and Portable Fans

Fans don’t actually cool the air, but they create airflow that helps you feel cooler by increasing evaporation from the skin. Make sure your ceiling fans rotate counterclockwise during the summer to push air downward and create a cooling breeze.

This improves comfort and can allow you to turn up the thermostat slightly without reducing comfort. Make sure to turn fans off when rooms are empty since they cool people rather than spaces.

If you combine fans with moderate thermostat adjustments, then this can produce noticeable energy savings during the summer.

Upgrade Window Treatments to Block Solar Heat

Sunlight streaming in through windows can dramatically increase indoor temperatures, especially on south- and west-facing sides of the home. To reduce the amount of heat entering your living spaces, install:

Insulated curtains
Cellular shades
Reflective blinds
Solar window films

You should keep window coverings closed during the sunniest parts of the day to limit solar heat gain. Adding exterior solutions (such as awnings or shade screens) can be even more effective because they block sunlight before it reaches the glass.

Your landscaping plays a role, too. Strategically planted trees or shrubs can provide natural shade.

Schedule Preventive HVAC Maintenance Every Year

Routine maintenance helps your AC system perform at peak efficiency before extreme summer temperatures arrive. Not only do HVAC specialists offer quality air conditioning installation services, but they also provide professional tune-ups that typically include:

Inspecting refrigerant levels
Cleaning evaporator and condenser coils
Checking electrical connections
Lubricating moving parts
Verifying proper airflow throughout the system

These services can identify minor issues before they become expensive repairs or lead to reduced performance. You should also replace or clean air filters on your own (according to the manufacturer’s recommendations), as clogged filters restrict airflow and force the system to use more energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Wastes the Most Electricity in a House?

The biggest electricity users in most homes are heating and cooling systems, especially if the HVAC equipment is older or poorly maintained. The following things can account for nearly half of a household’s electricity use:

Air conditioners
Electric furnaces
Heat pumps

Electric water heaters also consume a significant amount of power because they repeatedly heat stored water throughout the day. Other major contributors include clothes dryers, electric ovens, and refrigerators.

Does Turning off Lights Really Save Electricity?

Yes, turning off lights when they’re not needed does save electricity, but the amount will depend on the type of bulb being used. For example, modern LED bulbs are highly efficient, and they consume up to 90% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs while producing the same amount of light.

Because LEDs also have long lifespans, frequently switching them on and off has little impact on their durability.

Lighting often represents a smaller share of household electricity use, but the savings can still add up over the course of a year, especially in a larger house with many fixtures.

Which State Has the Most Expensive Electricity?

Hawaii consistently has the highest residential electricity prices in the US. The state’s geographic isolation means it can’t easily connect to the mainland power grid, and it’s historically relied heavily on imported petroleum to generate electricity.

Hawaii has invested heavily in renewable energy sources, but transitioning an island-based grid takes time and requires substantial infrastructure investments. As a result, residents often pay significantly more per kilowatt-hour than those in most other states.

Do note that high rates don’t always translate into the highest monthly bills, though. Because the state has a mild climate, this reduces the need for extensive heating or air conditioning.

Keep Your Energy Bills Low This Summer

If you want to battle high energy bills, then you have to be smart. There are several ways to stay comfortable without spending a fortune, and if you use our tips wisely, you won’t have to suffer both heat and high bills this summer.

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