Once the summer months arrives, so does extreme heat. And any homeowner in the south knows that brutal temperatures aren't far behind once the flowers begin to bloom, so how do you stay comfortable inside without worrying about high AC costs this year?

We spoke to several heating and cooling experts for their industry hacks on how to beat the heat inside your home without running up the costs. While some tricks require pros helping you fix problem areas around your home, there are several simple DIY solutions you can do to lower your cooling bill this summer.

Have you noticed high cooling bills in the previous summers? It might be cause of a faulty HVAC system or one that needs to be replaced entirely. "High cooling bills in the summer can be indicative of parts wearing out on your air conditioner or heat pump," echoes Terry. "It can indicate that refrigerant levels are not in balance. It can also point to an air distribution problem caused by a clogged air filter or something as simple as a piece of furniture or curtains blocking an air register."

Though HVAC systems are built to last between 15-20 years, some older units may be causing high cooling bills simply for their size. For example, Hiller says to rethink installing a unit that's too big for your home.

"Many homeowners install systems that are too big for their homes thinking that this way they can help it work less hard and reduce energy consumption. In fact, it’s one of the biggest mistakes you can make and installing an air conditioner that is bigger than you need as well as installing an air conditioner of insufficient capacity can significantly increase cooling bills."

Before it's too late, Terry recommends scheduling an HVAC maintenance check up with a professional to be proactive with any issues that may lead to high cooling bills once you're in the thick of summer.

That midday pie you want to bake? It might be best to make it at a different time. According to our pros, the use of large appliances like the range can work against you when it comes time to pay your cooling bill.

"Cooking an all day recipe in the oven or on the stove can increase the cooling bill because it means that the HVAC system needs to work against the heat pouring out of the pots and pans into the room," says Gregory. "If possible, try and cook at night, or do more grilling outdoors to avoid having the heat source inside at all."

"Instant pots can also have a lower heat signature in comparison to cooking on a stove. Consider running the clothes dryer at night, out of the heat of the day," says Terry.

We know, we know. Part of the enjoyment of spring and summer is the bright sun and fresh feel it provides your space, but sadly, this sun exposure can cause a spike in your cooling bills too. When the heat from the sun shines into your home during the day, it warms your interior space which then causes your HVAC to run harder to keep the space cool.

The best way to combat this? According to our pros, keep your curtains drawn. "Thermal radiation through windows makes a huge difference on the ambient temperature of the air in any room," says Gregory. "This is because the heat is trapped on the inside where it continues to get warmer and warmer with each ray of sunlight."

If you're still using a thermostat from the 90s or early 2000s that was planted on the wall when the home was built, it's time to upgrade to a SMART thermostat. As all of our pros mentioned, these devices work hard with their features to keep temperatures cool inside while being energy efficient to reduce your utility bills.

"To maximize savings, choose a smart thermostat that aligns with your schedule," recommends Hiller. "There are different options on the market like 7-day programming, 5-1-1 programming, or 5-2 programming. By installing a smart thermostat that aligns with your schedule, you optimize energy usage for cooling and can reduce your cooling bills up to 20%."

Once caution Hiller was quick to provide was that in order to best use SMART thermostats for money-saving qualities, they have to be installed in the right place. "Right place for installing a smart thermostat is away from direct sunlight and cooling or heating units. An optimal place for a smart thermostat is in the living room or where you spend most time. Installing a smart thermostat in an inappropriate place would result in incorrect readings and increased energy consumption."

Just like the pros recommend keeping the curtains drawn to prevent extra light from seeping in, the same is recommended for your doors.

"It seems too simple to even mention, but one of the greatest losses of cool air during the summer months is when you leave the door open. It seems like it couldn’t be responsible for much, but opening the door on a hot day will let all of the cool air out just like opening the oven lets out all of the hot air into the kitchen," says Gregory.

One reason why you might see high cooling bills isn't from extra sunlight in your home, but from the loss of cool air. This happens when there are open gaps or cracks around your home (mainly along your windowsill or door frames) that are allowing your cool air to seep outside.

The good news is that Gregory says this is a quick and easy DIY fix. "Try and seal up and gaps or cracks in windows and doors that might be letting cool air escape. This doesn’t take much effort, and usually a single tube of caulk will make a big difference in the amount of thermal transfer happening through these sources."

One vital part of HVAC maintenance is routinely switching out air filters. These filters are responsible not only for keeping the air in your home clean by trapping pollutants and other contaminants, but for providing cool air to pass into your home from your outdoor unit.

"Replacing filters regularly is a thing every homeowner should remember to do," Hiller says. "Never neglect this task as dirty filters restrict the airflow, which makes your air conditioner work hard to keep you cool. Also, it can cause overheating to the system’s parts and your unit might need repairs very soon."

How often should you replace your indoor filter? Hiller says this varies. The basic rule of thumb is at least every three months, but there are a few considerations that may require a home to change filters out quicker like if you have pets in the home or if your home is extra dusty.

"The frequency of replacing filters depends on many factors and since there are different filter types on the market, it’s better to check manufacturer’s guidelines to know how often you should replace yours. If you’re unsure when to replace your filter, just take a look at it and if it looks gray and clogged, consider replacement," says Hiller.

A simple way to reduce cooling costs? Put your ceiling fans to work this summer. "It’s boring, and that’s because it works and has worked for ages, but fans move air, and moving air feels cooler than stagnant air," Gregory says. "Fans also keep cool air in the places that its supposed to be by preventing hot air from easily rising. For example, if a central air system has vent registers on the ceiling, fans will help to keep the cool air from falling quickly. If the vents are on the floor, fans can help to pull the cool air upwards so that the room feels cooler."

"Many times the reason that a cooling bill is out of hand in the summer is because the unit is working overtime to cool down areas that don’t need treated air in the first place," says Gregory. "Insulation is a critical factor in keeping cool air inside when its hot out, and the tighter the insulation job, the less rate payers will have to fork out in energy bills."

If you suspect that insulation is the culprit behind your high cooling bills, it's best to have a professional come out to your home and inspect the area before making any necessary repairs themselves.

Your outdoor garden may be the key to keeping your cooling bills low this summer, and what's more, you'll get gorgeous scenery out of this hack! "When planting or trimming trees and shrubs, consider how it will affect the shading of your home. Your house's west-facing and south-facing parts will benefit the most from foliage coverage," Terry says.

The best way to use exterior plants for added shade is to plant shrubs or shade trees on the south or west sides of your home while also trying to add coverage over your outdoor HVAC unit to keep it from overheating. Just remember to give it a visual inspection from time to time to remove any leaves or branches.

Source: 10 Ways To Lower Your Cooling Bill This Summer, According To Experts Better Homes & Gardens (May 3, 2024) Ashlyn Needham