​​​​​​​Home energy efficiency tips for summer - you could reduce electricity usage and bills

Roof overheating from hot sun

Across many parts of the U.S., energy bills are higher during the summer. Not only are air conditioners cranking to try and beat the heat, children and parents are home more often, using more appliances and devices and drawing more power.

But you don’t have to resign yourself to high electric bills from June to September. Following these tips for improving efficiency around the house may reduce your energy consumption and electric bills.


Start with air conditioning​

Your biggest energy drainer during the dog days of summer is the AC unit, so focus on it first.​

  • Turn up the thermostat when you leave. Set the temperature at 78 degrees or more, just remember that you’ll need time to bring the temperature back down before you go to sleep. The higher the temperature, the longer you’ll need to cool things off to a comfortable sleeping level. Virtually all modern thermostats have the ability to program your temperature for different times (e.g. waking, sleeping, leaving, returning). 
  • Inspect the supply vents. They should be open and unblocked by rugs, curtains or furniture. If they’re dusty, having the duct work cleaned can help the system run more efficiently.
  • Keep registers and doors open. Although it may seem like a way to save energy, closing registers increases pressure in the duct system and actually increases duct leakage and the energy required to cool the home. The same applies to closed doors. ​ ​

Develop a “super” air conditioning routine​

Pre-cooling or “super-cooling” a home is such a brilliant way to hack your energy usage in the summer months it deserves its own section. The goal is to run the AC overnight, when it’s easier and more efficient to do so, and rest it during the heat of the day when it has to struggle to maintain your set temperature. 

Here’s how it works: overnight and into the morning (off-peak) hours, you can drop your thermostat 5-10 degrees cooler than your typical afternoon setting. Before your peak hours begin–typically from around noon to 6 or 7 p.m., you turn the thermostat to the max setting you can stand. Beams, walls, furniture and other things in the house will retain that coolness and if you have your settings right, you may be able to make it all the way through peak hours before the home warms to the point the AC needs to kick on. 

To make super-cooling work, your insulation and weatherstripping need to be adequate and in good shape. Weatherstripping generally only lasts a few years, so if it looks frayed or cracked or you see daylight around a door or window, you should replace it.


Adjust your routine​

​During peak hours in the summer you should avoid or limit tasks that generate ambient heat such as stovetop cooking or running the dishwasher or dryer. Try to schedule these before or after the hours you’re trying to keep the AC off. ​


Embrace the shade​

  • Close blinds and drapes that get direct sunshine. If you’re buying new window treatments, outside mounted cellular shades are one of the best options for heat control, but any window attachment with the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC) Energy Improvement rating is a safe bet.

  • Plant strategic bushes. When placed on the south and west sides of your home, large bushes can reduce the heat gain into the home. You can also plant them near the AC unit to cool the air around it and ease its job; just be sure to leave a minimum of 2 feet of clearance around the unit and 5 feet of clearance above it.​


The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends​ deciduous plants such as Virginia sweetspire, burning bush or Arctic kiwi. When used in combination with a lattice or trellis, climbing vines can deliver shade while still allowing breeze to come through. ​


Optimize your pool​

If you have a pool in the backyard, use these tips to limit the energy it draws during the summer:

  • Use a pump timer. Program it to run during off-peak hours. 
  • Size the pump correctly. When combined with reducing its runtime, downsizing a pool pump to a smaller, more efficient size could collectively save you 75% on your pumping bill annually. 
  • Consider a Variable Speed Pool Pump. ENERGY STAR-certified variable speed pool pumps allow for higher and lower run speeds throughout the day, keeping your pool clean while not having to work as hard.
  • Upgrade your pool lighting. Energy-efficient lights such as solar-powered models can save energy.
  • Keep the filter and cleaning system maintained. Regularly cleaning the filter and backwashing your drain systems help everything run more efficiently. ​


Other pointers​

  • Use fans wisely. If you opt to rely on ceiling or floor fans while the thermostat is turned up, don’t forget to turn them off when you leave the room. Also be sure ceiling fan blades are set to spin the correct way: it’s counter-clockwise to push cool air downward during summer, and clockwise during winter. 
  • Don’t place lamps or TVs near the thermostat. It may pick up heat from those items and as a result get a skewed reading and run longer than necessary.
  • Unplug unused devices. Having lots of family members home during the summer may mean lots of chargers, video game consoles, TVs and other electronics plugged in 24/7. These devices draw power even when they’re not connected or when they’re not in use, so either unplug them manually or use an outlet timer or smart power strip to program them to turn off at night. 
  • Turn down the water heater. The water heater accounts for about 18%​ of your energy bill, and super-hot showers and summertime aren’t the best combo anyway. ​

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