Across the U.S., this summer has been a hot one. Temperatures in the triple digits have been keeping people indoors, running their air conditioning units. This comes at a price. Last year, 69% of adults reported that the summer heat was having a significant impact on their electricity bills. This year, electricity bills are 4% higher, with the average household paying $186 for each of the summer months.
Read Next: 3 Reasons Retired Boomers Shouldn't Give Their Kids a Living Inheritance (And 2 Reasons They Should)
Find Out: 8 Frugal Habits Americans Are Ridiculed for — and Why You Shouldn’t Care
There are several steps you can take to reduce your energy bill and prepare for next summer, too.
Cover Your Windows
One of the easiest ways to save on energy is to add window coverings around your home. On a sunny day, 76% of the light that enters through a standard double-pane window turns into heat. Blinds, shades, awnings and solar screens are all single expenses that will take a bite out of your energy bills long into the future. In states like Florida, where hurricanes are common, investing in storm windows with multilayer glazing or low-e coatings can also lessen solar heat gain.
Learn More: 8 Frugal Habits You Should Never Quit, According to Frugal Living Expert Austin Williams
Use a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats allow you to control your cooling system by creating a schedule. These devices can automatically adjust temperatures for different times and areas of your home. You can also make adjustments manually through an app on your smart device.
Smart thermostats can save you money because you can program or switch off the air conditioner when you’re not home or only cool down the rooms you’re using. Certain smart thermostats are so advanced that they can detect your habits, the outside temperature and the impact of the sun on your house. They automatically adjust your schedule to save you money.
Maintain Your AC
Continuously running your air conditioner without regular maintenance can lead to numerous issues, resulting in higher costs. When your unit’s fins, coils or filters are in disrepair or worn down, it ends up burning more energy. Replacing a dirty filter can reduce the machine’s energy usage by up to 15%. Regular maintenance will also make sure your air conditioner lasts longer, saving you money on potential repairs or unit replacements.
Use Fans
Fans might not cool you off as much as an air conditioner, but they make a difference. The U.S. Department of Energy states that running a ceiling, window, table or floor fan in a counterclockwise rotation creates a cooling breeze. Using ceiling fans will allow you to raise your thermostat by 4 degrees Fahrenheit and not notice any difference, reducing your energy usage.
Save Up in Advance
Beyond cutting costs, setting aside money for your air conditioner costs ahead of time will allow you to enjoy the summer without feeling the financial crunch of a high energy bill. Budgeting an extra $20 to $50 per month during the off-season will give you a nice cushion to draw from. Reviewing your past bills can provide a better indication of what you’ll need to save.
Likewise, if you’ve been using a smart thermostat, you can check the data it collected over the past year to create a more accurate forecast of how much you’ll need to set aside. With that information, you can divide how much you want to have in savings by how many months you have until the summer season. Then, add that number to your monthly budget.
More From GOBankingRates
- 6 Costco Products That Have the Most Customer Complaints
- Mark Cuban Warns of 'Red Rural Recession' -- 4 States That Could Get Hit Hard
- 5 Cities You Need To Consider If You're Retiring in 2025
- 9 Downsizing Tips for the Middle Class To Save on Monthly Expenses
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: This Monthly $200 Summer Bill Is Killing Your Budget — 4 Ways To Save
