The 10 Easiest Ways to Save Money on Utilities This Summer

Summer has officially landed, and it's hot as blazes out there. If high utility bills have become as much a part of summer afternoons as longing for a dip in a cool pool, these 10 tips should help you rein in those energy bills.

1. Keep air circulating

It drives me around the bend when my husband suggests turning the ceiling fan on. It's not because he's wrong, but because he suggests it so often. With that out of my system, if you have an attic fan or ceiling fan in any room of your home, turn that baby on and let it run (make sure your ceiling fans run counterclockwise in the summer, to push air down). 

If you don't have an attic or ceiling fan, spread any portable fans you have around the house. It doesn't matter if it's a box fan or a tower fan. The idea is to keep air circulating throughout the space. Even if the room doesn't cool down by much, it will feel cooler, which should ultimately help you save money. 

2. Raise the thermostat

I know, this one is awful. As someone who always wants to be cool, though, here's something I've learned: I cannot tell a temperature difference whether the thermostat is set to 71 or 72 degrees Fahrenheit. What I've done over the past few weeks is to set it one degree higher each day. I'm also trying to get any house cleaning done first thing in the morning before the heat has time to set in.

3. Schedule regular central AC maintenance

No one wants to pull out a credit card to pay for maintenance, but scheduling an annual check of your central air conditioning system can save you money in two ways:

1. You're less likely to have to pay for expensive repairs if an issue is caught early.
2. An AC unit that's working well runs more efficiently and uses less energy.

The average cost for an AC tune-up is $99, while the average cost of an AC repair is $320, depending on how complex the problem is. Your best bet is always to focus on maintenance. 

4. Give your window unit the once-over

If you're cooling your home with a window unit, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends inspecting the seal between the air conditioning unit and the window frame to ensure there's no gap. If your window unit needs more maintenance than you can provide, call a licensed heating and air conditioning tech. Again, a properly operating window unit will run more efficiently, saving you money on electricity.

5. Change filters regularly

The Department of Energy also recommends replacing dirty filters regularly. This will increase energy efficiency and improve the air quality in your home. Plus, doing so can save you up to 15% in energy costs, leaving more money in your savings account. 

6. Close the curtains

If you're not claustrophobic, lowering the blinds and pulling the drapes will help block heat and allow your AC to cool the space more quickly.

Consider investing in LED light bulbs. While they're more expensive than traditional bulbs, LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than the incandescent bulbs many of us grew up with.

7. Wash clothes in the morning

Using cold water, run the washing machine early in the morning and, if you have one available, hang the clothes on a clothesline to dry. Getting laundry out of the way first thing in the morning means you'll have time to put clothes out on the line, allow them to dry, and get them back in the house before the day heats up too much.

If you don't have access to a clothesline, it's raining, or you simply prefer to use a clothes dryer, that's okay. Running the dryer in the morning, before midday heat has set in, is less likely to make your home feel sweltering hot. 

If you're using your dryer, don't forget to clean the lint filter after each load. Not only does a clean filter allow the machine to operate more efficiently, but you reduce the risk of fire. 

8. Wash dishes in the evening

Make sure your dishwasher is completely full before you run it. While it can be tempting to run smaller loads and get them out of the way, waiting until it's totally full will cut down on costs. 

According to American Home Shield, your dishwasher uses four to six gallons of water per cycle. In addition, each load sucks up between 0.87 and 1.59 kWh of electricity. If you're going to require that much energy on a regular basis, your best bet is to run the dishwasher in the evening when rates are lower.  

9. Control the temperature of the water heater

Check your water heater to ensure it's set at no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The Department of Energy reports that manufacturers set water heater thermostats at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature that poses a scalding hazard.

Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit has the added benefit of slowing mineral buildup and corrosion in the water heat and pipes. 

10. Call your local utility company

Some utility companies offer free energy assessments. That means someone will come to your home to test for cracks or air leaks and offer concrete ways to save money on utility costs. You can then implement their recommendations. 

The goal is to enjoy every moment of summer without worrying about what the price of energy will do to your monthly budget. Cutting down on energy use may come in increments as you find ways to save.