Prep now for summer savings
April 2025
Using a fan can make a warmer room more comfortable without adjusting the thermostat. Remember, fans cool people (and pets), not rooms. Turn fans off in unoccupied rooms.
by Miranda Boutelle, Contributing Columnist
Q: How can I prepare my home for lower energy bills this summer?
A: Spring is in the air, and before you know it, summer will be here. There are many ways to prevent high summer bills and energy waste.
KEEP YOUR COOL
Include your cooling equipment on your spring cleaning checklist. An annual tune-up by a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning professional should encompass a refrigerant charge, airflow adjustment, and cleaning of the condenser and evaporator fan coils. This ensures your system operates efficiently and extends the equipment’s lifespan, reducing wasted energy and costs.
Some HVAC companies provide discounts for cleaning equipment during their slower months. When high temperatures arrive, they tend to be overwhelmed with calls for repairing or replacing broken equipment. Enrolling in an annual maintenance plan might offer extra savings.
A dirty furnace filter can waste energy by making your system work harder. Ensure you have a stack of replacement filters on hand so you’re more likely to change them as needed. Filters are generally cheaper when bought in bulk. When I recently searched for filters for my home, the price per filter was about half as much for a 12-pack compared to a two-pack.
Ductless heat pumps, also known as mini-splits, have a filter in the indoor unit or head that should be cleaned. If you clean the indoor filter yourself, be sure to turn the unit off before removing it and let it dry completely before putting it back.
CHECK YOUR TEMPERATURE
As we transition from cool to warm weather, monitor your thermostat settings. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting cooling temperatures to 78 degrees when you are home and higher when you are away. By adjusting your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours a day, you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling.
One way to feel cooler is by using fans in your room during the day or when sleeping. Using a fan can make a warm room feel cooler without adjusting the thermostat. Remember: Fans cool people, not rooms. Turn fans off in unoccupied rooms.
If your ceiling fan has a reverse function, make sure you flip the switch so it blows air down into the living space. The reverse function is great for circulating warm air in the winter, and you can maximize the comfort benefit of a fan by switching the air flow seasonally.
Cooking outdoors allows you to avoid using your stove and oven, which heats up your home and leads to higher energy bills.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Another consideration before summer hits is your home’s impact on peak load — when demand for electricity is highest. This typically occurs in the morning when people are getting ready for work and school, and in the evening when they return home. Your electric cooperative must manage the energy use of all its consumers, which can be a challenge. Consider starting the dishwasher before you go to sleep or starting a load of laundry outside of your utility’s peak times.
If you have a photovoltaic solar system, run your dishwasher or do laundry when your system produces the most electricity, which is typically during the sunny mid-day.
Cooking outdoors in summer is another great way to save energy. Heating your kitchen with a stove or oven requires more energy for cooling. Clean the grill now so that you are ready to enjoy outdoor cooking. Incorporate these tips into your summer prep to save energy and lower your bills.
Miranda Boutelle writes on energy efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.