18 easy ways to save energy in the summer

Experts save that you can save between 6 and 8 percent on your electric bill for every degree that you crank up the thermostat. If your family likes it cool, add fans to keep air circulating around the room without turning on the AC. 

Programmable thermostats allow you to fully customize the temperature in your home, which means that you can turn up the temperature when you're away from home and set it to cool down by the time you get there. 

For homes with big windows, those glass panes can let in a lot of heat. Invest in blackout curtains that will help keep the sun out, and don't be surprised if your electric bill drops substantially — and your home feels much cooler. 

If you don't want to install blackout curtains, the next best option is to make sure that your blinds are closed on seriously hot days. Set a reminder on your calendar for the sunniest parts of the day, and pull the blinds closed to prevent heating up your home unnecessarily. 

If your air conditioner isn't that powerful or you're looking to just save cash on keeping the thermostat low, invest in inexpensive fans. Oscillating fans can help circulate air around the room, making it feel as much as 4 degrees colder without even turning on the AC. 

It might not seem wasteful, but running those half-loads of dishes and laundry adds up to a lot of water — and energy — waste. Make sure that your machine is at least 2/3 full (or whatever your manufacturer's instructions specify) before running a load, and consider using cold water only for laundry to save even more electricity. 

Many homes have nooks and crannies where the blistering heat of summer can slip in without notice. Check your windows, door frames, and other areas of the home where you think cool air might be escaping, and get them sealed up with weather stripping. 

Most doors and windows already have window stripping, but it does wear down over time and needs to be replaced occasionally. This inexpensive fix can make a major difference in the energy efficiency of your home and is easy enough to DIY in just a few hours. 

Air conditioner filters fill up more quickly than you think, and forcing air through a clogged filter makes your AC use more energy than it would with a clean filter. Make a plan to check your filter every 2-3 months — more often if you have pets or smoke indoors — and change it out regularly. 

LED light bulbs are everywhere, but many of us still have old incandescent light bulbs lingering around the house, and they're ridiculously energy inefficient. LED bulbs may have a higher start-up cost, but they last longer and use less energy than their predecessors. 

As much as everyone enjoys a hot shower, it's possible that your water heater is turned up so high might have an impact on your energy bill. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends setting the temperature of your heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, both for conservation and safety reasons. 

When it's hot outside during the summer, heating up the oven only makes your home feel more like an inferno. Skip the oven in favor of kitchen appliances that create much less heat, like your good ol' microwave, an electric pressure cooker, or an air fryer to get your cooking done. 

If it's not too hot outside, why not grill? Whether yours is powered by propane or charcoal, grills are a very energy-efficient way to cook during the summer, and the results are almost always more delicious than anything prepared in an oven. 

Air conditioners become less efficient over time, and that could be having a major impact on your electricity bill. If your air conditioner is more than about 10 or 15 years old, it's probably time to think about getting a new one. 

When all else fails, go for the kiddie pool. Grab one of these inexpensive outdoor toys and fill it with cool water for an easy way to help the kids — and you! — cool down during the summer without spending too much cash. 

Even in the dead of summer, there are still a few hours each morning when the temperatures are much more bearable. Take advantage of those wee morning hours for getting chores done — you'll sweat less, and won't use as much electricity during peak hours. 

Major appliances like dryers use a lot of energy, and that can add substantial strain to the power grid, especially in times of extreme heat. Try not to use your heavy appliances in the 5 pm to 7 pm range, and always make sure you're choosing the energy-efficient cycle if your machine has one. 

If you've got two trees and a string of clothesline, you can save a whole lot of energy by simply line-drying your clothing. It may seem a little tedious at first, but line-dried linens are crisp and smell incredible.