Summer heat can push your comfort and your budget. Small changes can help you stay cool and spend less. Here are simple steps and where to ask for help if you need it.

Set your thermostat the smart way

When you are away, keep the house warmer than normal. When you are home, set the thermostat as high as is comfortable. A colder setting will not cool your home faster. It only makes the system run longer.

If your schedule is regular, set routine temperatures for day and night. Keep doors and vents open so air can move. Close doors to rooms you do not use.

Use fans to cool people, not rooms

Ceiling fans help move cooler air in summer. They make you feel cooler by moving air across your skin. Fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave.

Use a fan with your air conditioner to raise the thermostat a bit and stay comfortable. A box fan or oscillating fan can also help move air where you sit or sleep.

Keep cool air in and hot air out

Hot air slips in through small cracks and gaps. Sealing those openings reduces drafts and hot spots. Use caulk to seal fixed cracks. Add weatherstripping around doors and windows that move.

Renters can often use removable weatherstripping and a door sweep without tools. Close blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day on sunny windows. At night, open windows if the air outside is cooler and your area is safe to do so.

Time-of-use rates: shift when you use power

Many utilities offer time-of-use rates. Prices change at set times of day, often with a higher afternoon price and lower overnight price. Check your bill or your utility’s website to see your plan, and compare the rules to your habits.

If your rate changes by time, try these shifts:

  • Run the dishwasher and laundry in the evening or early morning.
  • Charge devices and power tools overnight.
  • Plan oven use earlier in the day. Use the microwave or a slow cooker during peak hours.

Not sure how to spot your rate plan or your credits? Our pinned guide, Your Electric Bill, Explained, shows where to look.

Why bills can rise in summer

Electricity use changes with the weather. When heat and humidity climb, air conditioners and dehumidifiers work harder. That raises total demand for cooling.

Your bill may look different even if you do not change your habits. Compare month to month with the weather in mind. The usage chart on your bill can help you see the pattern. You can also browse Your Electric Bill, Explained to understand charges and credits.

Summer is peak season for solar credits

Solar output is highest in summer and lowest in winter. Community solar credits follow the same pattern because they come from the project’s production. That means your credits are often larger in the summer months and smaller in the winter months.

Here is how community solar savings work. You support a local solar project by subscribing to a share. Each month, your utility applies solar credits to part of your bill. You pay your subscription for those credits at a price that is lower than the value of the credits. Any discount applies to the credits, not your whole bill. Savings depend on your state, your utility, and your project.

Knowing the pattern can help you plan. Expect higher credits around mid-year and lower credits in the winter. If you track this over a year, the ups and downs make more sense.

Ask about cooling help in your state

If you are worried about your summer bill, ask about help. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs. States, territories, and Tribes run the programs, and people apply through their state or local provider. EnergyHelp.us helps you find where to apply.

Cooling help varies by state. Some places offer help with summer bills, equipment, or repairs. Contact your state or local LIHEAP office and ask what is available now.

If your household has a limited income, review our income-qualified resources. You may find programs that can help with energy costs.

Quick habits that make rooms feel cooler

  • Drink cold water and wear light layers.
  • Use bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans to pull out heat and humidity.
  • Cook outside when you can. Small appliances give off less heat than an oven.
  • Keep lights off in empty rooms.

Small changes add up. Set your thermostat with care, use fans wisely, seal easy leaks, and shift use if your rate changes by time. Know that weather and solar seasons affect your bill and credits. If you need help, ask your state LIHEAP office about cooling support, and check our income-qualified page for more resources.