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by Brittney Myers | Published on July 31, 2022
Beating the heat doesn't always require running the AC.
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Every summer we get more headlines about "the hottest summer on record." And thanks to climate change, it's probably only getting worse from here.
Southerners who are used to fighting Mother Nature to stay cool all summer are having to work twice as hard. And even many northern areas are adding ACs -- or cranking them up -- to fight the ever-increasing summer heat.
If your summer AC bills make you sweat more than the high temperatures, you may be looking for ways to cut costs. We've put together a list of some tips for cooling off without overheating your finances.
A clean AC is an efficient AC. The harder your air conditioner has to work to move air throughout your home, the more expensive it will be to run it. Have your AC regularly serviced by a professional to ensure it's running at its best. This also includes having your vents cleaned of dust and debris. Regulating servicing can also help your AC last longer and prevent costly repairs.
Your AC and ducts aren't the only parts of your air conditioning system. You should also make sure to service and clean all of your vents, including changing out your AC's filter every few months. Regularly changing the filter will not only help your AC run more efficiently, it will also help cut down on irritants and pollutants in your air.
Depending on the age of your AC unit, servicing and cleaning it may not be enough. If you have a truly ancient AC, your best bet may be to simply upgrade to a newer unit. Choose an energy efficient unit for the best results.
If you mostly hang out in one or two rooms, then why cool the whole house? A small window or portable AC unit used in your living room or bedroom can make you -- and your budget -- comfortable without running your larger AC unit to cool unused rooms.
Even the most efficient AC in the world can't keep a poorly insulated house cool. Regularly inspect the seals around your doors and windows to make sure you're not letting the hot air leak in. You may also want to have your walls and attic inspected for any poorly-insulated areas.
Another way to keep the heat out of your home is to ensure you're keeping the sunlight out, too. That sunny room may be cheerful -- but it's also hot. Keeping your blinds and curtains closed, or even upgrading to blackout curtains in rooms with lots of sunlight, can keep your house cooler and help your AC run less.
Your oven and stove have literally one job: to make things hot. So it makes sense that the less you use them, the less heat you generate in your home. If you have access to outdoor space suitable for cooking, try grilling more and oven-ing less. You could also consider using a toaster oven or microwave instead of your oven whenever possible.
Although ceiling and room fans don't generate cold air, sometimes a good breeze can make a difference even in a warm room. Just make sure your ceiling fan is actually turning in the right direction. It should spin counterclockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter.
This is a simple solution, but an effective one nonetheless. The closer your inside temperature is to the outside temperature, the less your AC will have to work. This can be especially true during the day when temperatures are hottest. And don't forget to turn up the AC before you leave the house to ensure you're not cooling an empty space.
If you don't want to babysit your thermostat for efficiency, consider upgrading to a smart thermostat to do it for you. Smart thermostats learn your patterns and can turn up or down the temperature settings automatically based on when you're home and away.
If you have a well-insulated house, you could potentially save money by overcooling at night. This involves reducing the thermostat at night when outdoor temperatures are lower -- which means the AC doesn't work as hard. Energy costs are frequently lower at off-peak times as well. As long as your insulation is good, your home should stay cooler throughout the day.
Basements tend to be cooler thanks to the insulating properties of the earth -- and the fact that hot air rises. For those who have a subterranean level in their homes, this may be the best place to spend the summer.
Nature may be part of the problem, but it can also be part of the solution. Any windows, doors, or even walls that are particularly sunny may be good places to consider planting some new trees and bushes. They're both attractive and shade-producing, a win-win for everyone. (For bonus points, plant native varieties.)
Things are hot, and they're only going to get hotter over the coming years and decades. Learning good habits for staying cool now can save you big over the long term.
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Brittney started her writing career in the world of science, putting her physics degree to good use. Her journey into finance started with building her personal credit, but soon grew into a borderline obsession with credit cards and travel rewards. For the last 7 years, she has enjoyed the ability to share her expertise with readers, as well as the opportunity to interview companies and individuals making an impact on our financial lives. She wholly believe most problems can be solved with the right research -- and a good spreadsheet -- and she specializes in translating complex financial topics into actionable advice to help educate and empower readers.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
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