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Cranking up the air conditioning may feel good in the moment, but not too cool when the energy bill comes. Simple home improvement actions can help you beat the heat and the high costs, says Ian Charters, owner of Handyman Connection of Grapevine in Keller, Texas, who knows a thing or two about summer heat. From learning how to clean your air conditioner to rethinking your shades’ situation to adding sustainable DIY projects, there’s plenty you can do to keep your home chill and your energy costs affordable.
“It’s best to get your systems proactively checked at least twice a year—in the spring before summer rolls around and then again in the fall—to get ahead of the first super hot or cold days,” says Mika Kleinschmidt, who is on HGTV’s 100 Day Dream House with her husband, Brian. The duo recently partnered with American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning to help people “chill the bill.” If you lapsed on the AC checkup, you can still see if it’s running properly. Pay attention to things like strange sounds or issues with the thermostat. Don’t get stingy on calling a professional—it can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.
Below, 11 simple strategies that won’t make you sweat high energy bill payments.
1. Change air filters
Changing the air filters ahead of the hottest days of the year is key. It’s one of the most important and easiest things you can do to help your air conditioner work more efficiently, says Kleinschmidt, referencing a recent survey of American Standard homeowners that showed only about 36% of people are regularly changing their filters. This simple preventative measure takes just minutes, but helps ensure your system is working efficiently, and saves you money. “Replacing or cleaning a filter every 30 to 90 days can save you up to 15% on your monthly energy bill,” she adds.
Anthony Carrino—a Jersey City, New Jersey–based celebrity home designer on HGTV’s Kitchen Cousins, developer, and Trane Residential partner—recommends cleaning air filters with a vacuum, or rinsing the filter and letting it air dry.
2. Clean the AC
Make sure your air conditioner is in tip-top shape by periodically checking to make sure the air ventilator’s intake and exhaust are unobstructed. Also, check that the fan blades are relatively free of accumulated dust and dirt, Carrino adds. Professional HVAC maintenance should occur once a year.
3. Set up a thermostat schedule
“Having a consistent thermostat schedule can massively help your energy bills,” Kleinschmidt says. “If you set your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit above your normal setting while away for work or away on vacation, you could save up to 10% on your electricity bill.” Charters suggests setting your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer as every degree of extra cooling will increase energy usage between six and eight percent.
4. Check the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
Carrino advises checking the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)—it measures the AC and heat pump cooling efficiency—on your HVAC system. The higher the SEER number, the better your savings. “Usually, heating and cooling systems have a SEER ratio located on the outside of the unit,” he adds. “Most units vary between 13–21, where the majority of systems installed prior to 2006 has a SEER of 10 or lower.” Even though you can’t optimize the SEER ratio on an old unit, it is something to focus on when you’re ready to replace your HVAC system. “Your SEER rating has a huge impact on your energy usage since a higher number can save up to 62% on your energy bill each year,” Carrino says.
5. Evaluate windows
And upgrade them if necessary. “New windows with enhanced technology not only improve the appearance of the house, but also provide one of the best energy savings achievable in an older home,” Charters says. If springing for new windows is outside your budget, invest in blinds, solar screens, or window tint on south-facing windows to reduce radiant heat. “Roll-down blinds are also a good addition to covered patio structures so you can enjoy the outdoors without direct sunlight,” he adds.
Even without updates, keep your space cool by closing all blinds and curtains during the day, especially when the AC or fan is running, Kleinschmidt says.
6. Befriend fans
Your AC is great, but you may be overlooking fan usage, much to your personal comfort and wallet’s dismay. “Buying stand, box, or ceiling fans is a small investment that can reduce your energy costs,” Carrino says. “Using fans to help cool your home means you can raise the thermostat setting by 4 degrees Fahrenheit without reducing your comfort level.” Remember to turn off the fans when you’re not in the room, since the “wind chill effect” is for people, not the space itself, Carrino adds.
7. Buy better bulbs
Hop aboard the LED train. “Incandescent, halogen, and fluorescent light bulbs not only use more power than LED but can also be a considerable heat source during hotter months,” Charters says. “By adding a motion detection switch, lights are not left on for extended periods when not in use.” You can also purchase Wi-Fi–enabled smart bulbs, like GE Cync Soft White Direct Connect Smart bulbs, which you can set on a schedule and turn on and off via voice control with Google Home or Amazon Alexa.
8. Add doors
Many homes built over the last 20 years have an open floor concept with few doors in the living areas. “Installing interior doors to close off office spaces and TV rooms can help zone your home so that the temperature management in those areas can be maintained based on individual needs,” Charters says. Plus, you can close off warmer rooms that heat up during the day, that way your AC isn’t working overtime to cool spaces that are not in use.
9. Seal doors and windows
Charters stress that maintaining energy efficiency for your home isn’t seasonal as much as something that will return value year-round. You’ll also want to make sure you seal any gaps around doors and windows to save as much as 10% on your energy bill, he adds. “Many customers tend to notice cold drafts around doors during the winter, and that same draft will probably cost even more during the summer,” he continues.
10. Outsmart your attic
Charters says you might want to install an attic ladder insulation cover to reduce drafts and energy loss as this opening is effectively an exterior doorway.
11. Wash clothes in cold water
Between beach, pool, and general sweatiness, you may need to run more loads of laundry. To keep more green in your pockets, Carrino recommends washing and rinsing clothes with cold water. “If you do it year round, it could save you around $200 annually,” he says. Bonus: Sunny weather is perfect for drying sheets and towels outside, curbing the need for a dryer and stretching your dollar further.
