Summer Heat

Most people would agree that summer is their favorite season, but they’d also agree that they do not enjoy seeing a spike in their electric bill. There are ways you can keep your bill in a reasonable range that won’t make you gasp every time you go to pay your bill in the hottest months of the year.

Cook Smarter

You’re already feeling warm and sweaty in the summer, so you don’t need to add heat to your home by turning on the oven and heating up the whole kitchen. Use the stove or an outside grill to keep the heat to a minimum, so you don’t feel tempted to kick that thermostat to 65 just to cool off. If you can avoid using the oven or stove in general, that’s even better. Take the summer as a time to experiment in the kitchen or make more food that doesn’t require cooking.

Set Thermostat Schedule & Forget

Depending on the age of your AC unit, you may be able to set your AC on a schedule. For example, some units will let you set a temperature in the morning when you wake up when you get home and then for bedtime. If you don’t have a schedule feature on your AC, then just set your AC for the day at a reasonable temperature that you can bear without dipping too low into the cooler temperatures that require more energy to cool down your home. And remember to set it to 80 or even completely off when you’re traveling or out for the day. No one will be home, so there’s no need to have the AC running at 75.

Curtains Are Friends

Shades and curtains are your friends in the summer. You can buy inexpensive blackout shades that will help keep your rooms cool and keep the sun’s rays from turning your bedroom into a sauna. Even closing the blinds can help you feel cooler.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Finding ways to spend more time outside and less time inside will help your bill lower because you won’t be needing to cool your home down all the time. Find ways to have fun outside without overheating. If your neighborhood has a pool, take a trip there and spend the whole day relaxing with a nice picnic lunch and your favorite book. Don’t forget your sunscreen when you’re enjoying the outdoors!

Enjoy Summer

It’s important that while you’re trying to find ways to keep your electric bill low in the summer, that you don’t forget to enjoy the summer months. You can make small changes that can make a difference over three or four months, but don’t restrict yourself.