How to Lower Summer Energy Bills | New York State Energy Coalition
- Keep drapes, blinds and shades closed during the day to block out the sun.
- Move furniture away from air conditioning vents.
- Plant shade trees due west of west windows. It could reduce your air conditioning bills by up to 25%!
- Cook on the grill to keep cooking heat outside the home.
- When cooking inside, use a microwave instead of a conventional oven. It uses less than half the power and cooks food in about one-fourth the time.
- Install reflective window coatings to reflect heat away from your home.
- Use ceiling fans to cool your home. They're much cheaper to operate than air conditioners, and moving air feels cooler, so you can keep your thermostat set higher.
- Open windows on cool summer days and nights. A good rule of thumb is not to open windows when the outside temperature is warmer than the inside of your house.
- Change or clean your air conditioning filter monthly during cooling season to improve efficiency and maximize the life of your air conditioner.
- Whenever possible, hang your laundry outdoors to dry.
- Install patio covers, awnings, and solar window screens to shade your home from the sun.
- Keep the coils of your central or window air conditioner free of dust and dirt.