10 Ways to Lower Your Summer Electric Bills

3. Draw the blinds during the daytime

About 76 percent of sunlight that hits your windows enters to generate heat inside your home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, yet 75 percent of blinds stay in the same position every day. Closing window draperies or blinds during the daytime can help lower your cooling costs. Also, it might be time to buy new window treatments — the Energy Department says that medium-colored draperies with white plastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33 percent.

4. If you have ceiling fans, use them

The Energy Department says that if you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will let you raise the thermostat about four degrees (at least in those rooms that have one) in the summer. Fans that carry the Energy Star label move air 20 percent more efficiently than those that don’t. In the summer, rotate the fans counterclockwise so that the blades can push the cooler air down. 

5. Upgrade your appliances

Sure, that old refrigerator has been running since 1990, but it’s probably sucking up a lot of juice while it’s cooling your food and drinks. New appliances with the Energy Star designation are more efficient than average appliances. Energy Star televisions, for example, use 3 watts or less when they are turned off, which is about 50 percent less than average. The Environmental Protection Agency provides a list of the most energy-efficient appliances.

6. Lower the temperature on your water heater

Hot water is a wonderful thing, but it accounts for about 18 percent of energy use. Lowering your water heater's temperature from 140 degrees (the default setting for many manufacturers) to 120 degrees could save you more than $400 a year.

7. Replace incandescents with LED lights

Bulbs that use light-emitting diodes (LEDs) use 75 percent less energy than comparable incandescent bulbs. They last up to 25 times longer, too. You can find them in a wide array of sizes, brightnesses and colors. While LEDs are a bit more expensive than incandescents, which are largely being phased out in the U.S., their price has been falling as more people use them. 

8. Get out of the house

Specifically, get outside and use the grill. An indoor stove can raise your home's temperature as much as 10 degrees. Just make sure you prep and clean your grill before summer to prolong its lifespan. (Looking for recipes? Check out our roundup of five delicious BBQ dishes.)

9. Ask for discounts

Your electric company may offer discounts for those with low income or disabilities. It might also offer incentives to reduce your energy usage on summer days when demand is highest, typically between noon and 8 p.m. Florida Power & Light, for example, offers a Time of Use Rate, which charges more during peak hours and less during off-peak hours. Some utility providers also offer installment plans that let you split your energy bill into smaller increments over a set period, making your summer cooling costs more manageable.

10. Use major appliances wisely

A few smart habits can make a big difference in your energy bill. Run full loads of laundry and use cold water when you can, since water heating makes up about 90 percent of the energy it takes to run a washing machine, the Environmental Protection Agency says. Instead of drying dishes using your dishwasher's heat drying mode, air dry them. And clean your clothes dryer's lint trap after each use — it will make the machine run more efficiently and last longer.