Every summer, a familiar dread creeps in alongside the rising temperatures: the arrival of the inflated electricity bill. Scrolling through social media or home improvement blogs, you encounter a flood of advice promising relief. From unplugging toaster ovens to cranking the thermostat up to 78 degrees, the list of potential savings is long.
To separate fact from fiction, I spoke with two industry professionals. Brandon Young is the CEO of Payless Power, a retail electricity provider. Lisa Shavers is the general manager of HVAC and plumbing at Oncourse Home Solutions. They helped break down seven popular strategies to see which ones actually deliver real savings.
1. Unplug Devices When Not in Use
It sounds tedious, but the logic is sound. Electronics draw power even when they are switched off. This phenomenon is known as standby power or vampire load. Brandon Young confirms that “unplugging devices eliminates standby power draw, which can add up over time.”
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, standby power can account for 5 to 10 percent of residential energy use. For the average household, that translates to roughly $100 to $200 per year. That is not pocket change.
However, Young notes that the savings are “probably smaller than you want.” Unplugging every single device is impractical. The trick works best when you focus on high-draw items. Think about entertainment centers, desktop computers, gaming consoles, and kitchen appliances like coffee makers and microwaves.
The Verdict: Yes, it works, but the impact is modest. Focus on the biggest “vampires” in your home for the best return on your effort. Even so, this one can’t hurt, so it might be worth it if it is not a huge hassle.
2. Maximize Your Home’s Air Circulation
Before you rush to lower the thermostat, try a simpler and completely free solution. If your home feels hot and stuffy, your first instinct might be to crank up the fans and drop the temperature. Instead, Lisa Shavers says you should try to create a more balanced airflow.
“Open doors throughout the home to allow for more even air circulation, helping the system cool rooms efficiently without overcompensating for hot zones,” she explains. When doors are closed, the air conditioning system works harder to push air into those spaces, creating pressure imbalances.
You should also check to make sure your vents are unobstructed. “Furniture, rugs, or clutter can block air vents, which limits airflow and forces the A/C to work harder,” Shavers warns. A blocked vent can increase energy usage by up to 25 percent in some cases.
The Verdict: Absolutely. This is a zero-cost strategy that improves efficiency. Opening interior doors and clearing vents allows your system to breathe and cool your home evenly.
3. Maintain Your HVAC System
If you only do one thing this season, let this be it. The single best way to keep your energy bills low is to properly maintain your HVAC system. “Getting an AC tune-up before summer, replacing air filters regularly, and sealing gaps around doors and windows all reduce how hard your system has to work,” Young says.
The numbers back this up. A dirty filter can increase your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent. Sealing leaks around windows and doors can save you 10 to 20 percent on your heating and cooling costs annually.
Shavers agrees strongly. “If airflow is restricted due to clogged filters or blocked vents, the system has to work harder to move air.” She suggests a simple maintenance routine:
- Schedule a professional AC tune-up before the peak of summer.
- Replace air filters every one to three months.
- Seal gaps around windows and doors with weatherstripping or caulk.
- Maintain a consistent, moderate temperature to avoid unnecessary strain on the system.
The Verdict: This is the most effective trick on the list. It is not a hack; it is responsible homeownership. A well-maintained system uses less energy and lasts longer.
4. Switch to LED Bulbs
This tip is fairly simple and low-cost. If you have been using primarily incandescent bulbs, Young says now is the time to make the change. “LED bulbs use significantly less energy than incandescent ones,” he explains.
The difference is dramatic. LEDs use at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lighting. If you replace the five most frequently used light fixtures in your home with Energy Star certified LEDs, you can save about $75 per year.
You can also consider smart bulbs. These allow you to set your lights on a timer and easily turn them off when you are not in the room. This adds another layer of savings on top of the efficiency gains.
The Verdict: A clear, low-effort win. The upfront cost is minimal, and the payoff is continuous. This trick works exactly as advertised.
5. Run Appliances at Night
Your oven, dishwasher, and clothes dryer are working against your air conditioner. They generate a tremendous amount of indoor heat. If you find heat is building up in your home, Shavers suggests using your appliances outside of peak hours, ideally at night.
“Cooking with ovens, running dishwashers, and using clothes dryers all generate indoor heat,” she says. “Homeowners can limit heat buildup by cooking early in the morning or using stovetops, microwaves, or outdoor grills.”
There is a second benefit here. Many utility companies offer time-of-use rates. Electricity costs more during peak demand hours (usually the afternoon) and less during off-peak hours (evening and night). Running heavy appliances at night can save you money directly on your rate plan.
The Verdict: Yes, it works. You reduce the heat load on your AC and potentially benefit from lower electricity rates. It is a simple scheduling change that makes a real difference.
You may also enjoy reading: 5 Reasons This IKEA Outdoor Light Looks Boutique.
6. Close Blinds During the Hottest Times
Your windows are a major source of unwanted heat gain. Wherever this is an option, Young suggests closing your blinds when you are not home or during peak heat hours. “I added blackout curtains in the rooms that get direct afternoon sun, which keeps the AC from working overtime during the hottest part of the day,” he says.
Shavers agrees, noting that this is particularly true of south- and west-facing windows. “Keeping blinds or blackout curtains drawn during peak daylight hours helps block solar heat gain and reduce indoor temperature naturally.”
The Department of Energy states that medium-colored drapes with a white-plastic back can reduce heat gain by up to 33 percent. This is passive cooling at its finest. You are stopping the heat before it even enters your living space.
The Verdict: Highly effective. This trick requires zero energy and zero cost if you already have blinds. It is a simple habit that keeps your home cooler naturally.
7. Install a Smart Thermostat
This trick involves a small upfront investment, but the return can be significant. A smart thermostat learns your schedule and adjusts the temperature automatically. It ensures you are not cooling an empty house.
According to Energy Star, a certified smart thermostat can save you about 8 percent on your heating and cooling bills, which translates to roughly $50 per year. Nest, a popular brand, claims their device saves an average of 10 to 12 percent on heating and 15 percent on cooling.
Young points out that the real value comes from the automation. “Installing a smart thermostat can automatically adjust temperatures to avoid cooling an empty house,” he says. You do not have to remember to adjust the temperature before you leave for work.
The Verdict: Yes, the savings usually offset the cost of the device within a year or two. It is a convenient and effective tool for managing your energy use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Energy Saving Tricks
Do energy bill tricks work for older homes?
Yes, but the impact can be even larger. Older homes often have less insulation and more air leaks. Sealing gaps, adding weatherstripping, and using curtains to block heat gain will make a more noticeable difference in an older home than in a modern, well-insulated one.
Is it true that lowering the thermostat dramatically cools a home faster?
No. This is a common myth. Lowering the thermostat to 60 degrees does not make the air conditioner cool the house any faster. It just makes the system run longer and wastes energy. The AC cools at a constant rate. Setting it to a reasonable temperature like 78 degrees is the most efficient approach.
How much can I actually save by unplugging devices?
The average household spends about $100 to $200 per year on standby power. Unplugging the biggest offenders, like entertainment systems and computer setups, can save you a significant portion of that. It is not a life-changing amount, but it is easy money.
What is the single best energy-saving trick for summer?
According to both experts, maintaining your HVAC system is the number one priority. Replacing air filters, getting a tune-up, and sealing leaks in your home’s envelope will reduce how hard your system has to work. This provides the largest and most reliable savings.
Do ceiling fans help lower the energy bill?
Yes, but only if you use them correctly. Ceiling fans create a wind-chill effect that makes you feel cooler. This allows you to raise the thermostat setting by about 4 degrees without reducing comfort. Remember to turn the fan off when you leave the room, as fans cool people, not spaces.
The truth is that most of these energy bill tricks work, but some work much better than others. A few simple changes to your daily habits and a commitment to basic home maintenance will keep your home comfortable and your wallet full.
