With summer settling in, now is the time to make a game plan for helping homeowners save energy and avoid pricey electricity bills. Here are a few ways to help them offset the season’s rising temperatures.

How can I keep my electric bills low during the summer?

Although keeping electric bills low over the summer seems like a daunting task now, it won’t be once you take a look at the tips we’ve prepared for you. There is a lot you can do to prevent your electric bills from skyrocketing, even without turning your AC unit completely off.

Get a fan

Buying a fan is a small investment that can reduce energy costs for homeowners. Using fans to help cool a home means you can raise the thermostat setting without reducing the comfort level. Remember: fans aren’t intended to cool the space — just the people in the space.

Optimize your thermostat settings

According to the DOE, setting your thermostat at 78 degrees in the summer can save you up to 10% in energy costs each year. If 78 degrees is too warm for you, you can adjust it a bit lower to be comfortable. Just remember that for every degree you raise your thermostat above 72 degrees, you save up to 3% of your cooling expenses.

Upgrade your appliances

If you’re ready to take your summer energy savings to the next level, go for a system upgrade. Heating and cooling uses nearly half of the energy in your home, so investing in an energy efficient system is a smart move that will save you money in the long run.

When you upgrade your air conditioner, look for Energy Star certified systems that have a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) ratings. They’ll be 15% more efficient than other models. 

While you’re going green, think about upgrading your entire home with Energy Star appliances. At the very least, schedule seasonal maintenance for your air conditioner and other systems, so they’re working their best.

Go low flow

In the summer, water usage usually increases. Keep outdoor watering costs down by watering grass and plants in the early morning or at dusk. You can also save water and have an energy efficient home by installing low-flow water fixtures. These work well on shower heads, toilets and even your outdoor sprinkler.

Wash with cold water

Here’s a quick summertime money saver. Change up your laundry routine by only washing and rinsing your clothes with cold water. If you do it year round, it could save you around $200 annually.

Close the blinds & check your seals

Kicking up the AC isn’t the only way to keep your home cooler in the hot summer months. Take a quick walk around the house and close all the blinds and curtains. This will keep your rooms from heating up too much and being super hard to cool with your air conditioning system or fan. Another tip to keep warm air outside is to add weather stripping to your doors and windows.

Keep your fridge cool

Your refrigerator and freezer are essential to keeping your lemonade and popsicles cold all summer long. So, here are few tips to save on your energy bill by maintaining your refrigerator properly. 

Set the thermostat between 35 and 38 degrees for the refrigerator and between 0 and 5 degrees for the freezer. Check the door seal and vacuum the coils. Make sure your fridge is always full of food (or even just jugs of water), so there’s less air space for it to have to cool.

Relax and unplug

Keep your electronics from sucking up all your summer energy by unplugging your chargers, TV, computer and other small electronics when you’re not using them. It’s an easy way to save up to $100 a year, according to the Department of Energy.

Dine out

Whether you’re grilling a great meal or treating yourself to dinner at your favorite restaurant, steering clear of your kitchen in the summer can reduce your energy bill. Using kitchen appliances can raise the temperature by 10 degrees. 

Not only will you reduce the energy you use to run those appliances, but you’ll also save on air conditioning costs to cool down your home.

Challenge yourself

Now that you’ve got a variety of energy-saving ideas that range from new habits to efficient upgrades, challenge yourself to see if you can lower your energy costs this summer. Then use those savings for a weekend vacation in the fall!

Energy-efficient HVAC units that keep your electric bills low

However, you don’t have to challenge yourself in every single aspect of trying to save energy and money. If you purchase a high-quality residential HVAC system from a certified dealer, you can rest easy knowing that your energy bills will not go through the roof.

G.A. Larson is the leading wholesale distributor of premium residential and commercial HVAC units & parts. Our HVAC solutions keep energy bills reasonable, improve the indoor quality of air in a home, and help create a comfortable living environment. Reach out to us today if you’d like to become a certified G.A. Larson HVAC distributor and provide homeowners with excellent HVAC systems to suit their needs.