How to lower your electric bill in summer: 15 tips that actually work
By the kWhCompare Editorial Team · Updated September 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Air conditioning is the single biggest reason summer bills climb, and in hot states it can double what you pay in spring. The good news: most of the savings come from a handful of changes that cost little or nothing.
The thermostat: your biggest lever
1. Set it to 78°F when you're home
The U.S. Department of Energy suggests 78°F as a comfortable, efficient summer setting. Every degree lower makes your AC work noticeably harder, so small changes add up over a full season.
2. Turn it up when you're away
Raising the setting by 7–10°F for eight hours a day, while you're at work, for example, can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling, according to the DOE. Don't turn the AC off completely in extreme heat: the house absorbs heat and takes far longer to cool back down.
3. Use a smart or programmable thermostat
It makes tips 1 and 2 automatic. Many utilities and providers offer rebates or free devices, especially in exchange for joining a demand response program.
4. Run ceiling fans, but only in occupied rooms
A fan's breeze lets you raise the thermostat about 4°F with no loss of comfort. Fans cool people, not rooms, so switch them off when you leave. In summer, set them to spin counterclockwise.
Help your AC work less
5. Change the air filter
A clogged filter makes the system strain and run longer. Check it monthly during summer and replace it at least every one to three months.
6. Clear the outdoor unit
Keep at least two feet around the condenser free of plants and debris, and gently hose off the fins. A blocked unit can't shed heat efficiently.
7. Get a tune-up before the heat
A technician can check refrigerant, clean the coils and spot a failing part before it fails on the hottest day of the year.
8. Block the sun
Sunlight through windows is a major source of heat. Close blinds and curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the afternoon. Reflective films or exterior shades help even more.
9. Seal the leaks
Weatherstripping doors and caulking gaps around windows keeps cool air in. Leaky ductwork in a hot attic can also waste a large share of the air your AC produces; sealing ducts is often one of the best-value upgrades.
Cut the heat you create
10. Cook outside or with small appliances
An oven heats your kitchen for hours. Grill, use the microwave or an air fryer, or cook in the cooler morning.
11. Run heavy appliances at night
Dishwashers and dryers add heat and humidity. Running them in the evening keeps the house cooler during peak hours and helps if you're on a time-of-use plan.
12. Switch remaining bulbs to LEDs
Old incandescent bulbs turn most of their energy into heat. LEDs use a fraction of the power and run cool.
Fix the price, not just the usage
13. Check your rate before summer starts
A cheaper rate multiplies every other saving. If you're in a deregulated state and your contract has ended, you may be on an expensive variable rate right when usage peaks. See the best time to switch.
14. Compare plans at summer usage
In Texas, a plan that's cheap at 1,000 kWh can look very different at 2,000 kWh. Use your August bill, not your April one, when you compare. Our EFL guide shows how.
15. Smooth out the payments
If the problem is budgeting rather than cost, ask about average (budget) billing. You'll pay a similar amount every month instead of facing a huge August bill.
Where to start
If you do only three things, make them these: set the thermostat to 78°F and raise it when you're out, change the AC filter, and make sure you're not paying an expired-contract rate. Then check whether your bill is actually normal for your home with our Texas bill guide or the bill analyzer.
See if your rate is costing you more than it should.
Frequently asked questions
What temperature should I set my thermostat in summer?
The U.S. Department of Energy suggests 78°F when you're home, and higher when you're away.
Is it cheaper to leave the AC on all day?
Usually it's cheaper to raise the setting by 7–10°F while you're out rather than turn it off completely, especially in extreme heat.
Do ceiling fans lower the electric bill?
Yes, if you raise the thermostat. A fan lets you set it about 4°F higher with the same comfort. Turn fans off in empty rooms.
Why is my electric bill higher in summer?
Air conditioning. In hot states it can double usage compared with spring, and some variable rates also rise in summer.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: thermostats, fans and cooling (energy.gov)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential energy consumption (eia.gov)
Figures are checked against these sources when each guide is updated. See how we research and calculate. This guide is for general information and isn't financial advice.