Air conditioning doesn’t come cheap. Follow these tips to stay comfortably cool all summer without a hefty energy bill.

Climate change is making summer days hotter than ever, and air conditioning is one way to keep your home comfortable and cool during extreme heat. Of course, AC often comes at a high price tag, especially since summer temperatures in many parts of the country these days exceed 110°F. Running your air conditioner at full blast all day long will inevitably lead to a ballooning energy bill. And thanks to COVID-19 to some degree, in 2026 many of us are still spending more time at home during peak mid-day temps than ever before. Use these tips to lower cooling costs and find the most efficient ways to cool a house to keep your cool this summer without breaking the bank.

Strategies You Can Follow to Cool Down Your House & Save Money on Your AC Bill

We know you could just crank up the AC and let it run full blast until fall arrives, but your energy bill (and your wallet) will thank you if you don’t. Looking to enjoy the benefits of your air conditioner’s climate control without spending all of your hard-earned money? We’ve compiled some of our favorite tips to help keep your house cool and lower your AC bill.

Raise the temp on your thermostat.

Keep your thermostat a few degrees higher so your air conditioner won’t have to work overtime to keep your home cool. The smaller the difference between the inside and outside temperature, the better for cooling your house and keeping costs low.

As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t need a sweater inside when it’s hot outside. Try playing around with your thermostat to see how high you can turn the temperature without feeling uncomfortable. If you usually keep your home at 68°F, try increasing it by five degrees for a few hours and see how it feels. You could save 10% per year on energy costs by setting your thermostat back 7 to 10°F from its normal setting for 8 hours per day, according to Energy.gov.

Buy a smart thermostat.

Take your thermostat-controlled temperature adjustments one step further by investing in a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat will allow your cooling system to think for itself, so to speak. These handy gadgets connect wirelessly to your home’s Wi-Fi system and allow you to adjust the temperature using your smartphone or by speaking to your Wi-Fi enabled device.

Not only can you schedule temperature changes based on the time of day with a smart thermostat, but you can also adjust it when no one is home. Some smart thermostats even include geo-fencing technology, which can sense when you’ve left the house and automatically adjust the thermostat to help you save up to 25% more energy on heating and cooling.

Many insurance companies also offer homeowners discounts for installing smart thermostats. Bonus!

Place your thermostat in the ideal location.

Believe it or not, where you place your thermostat impacts how often your air conditioner needs to run and how much you’re spending each month on energy bills. A thermostat located on a wall that receives direct heat from a window will sense the heat and need to turn on more frequently, for example.

On the other hand, if you place your thermostat in an area that doesn’t receive as much heat from the outdoors, your air conditioner won’t have to turn on as often.

Avoid using heat-producing appliances during peak hours.

Believe it or not, your dishwasher, oven, and dryer produce a significant amount of heat that forces your air conditioner to work harder. Not only will you reduce energy consumption by ditching your cooktop and oven in favor of your grill and microwave during hot summer months, but you can also plan to run heat-producing appliances like your dryer and dishwasher in the early morning or evening.

Air conditioners also remove moisture from the air as they cool your home, so you shouldn’t have to run a dehumidifier either.

Turn down the temperature at night.

Go to sleep feeling cool and refreshed by turning down your thermostat before bed. Most people like sleeping in cooler temps anyway, and since outdoor temperatures typically drop at night, it shouldn’t feel overly cold inside either.

Help ensure your AC isn’t working all night by programming your thermostat to return to your desired temp once everyone in the house is asleep. Pre-cool your sleeping area before bed, then adjust your thermostat setting to 4-6 degrees warmer while you sleep.

Don’t forget to program your thermostat to return to your normal temperature once everyone has fallen asleep!

Seal your home’s windows.

You wouldn’t leave your windows open all day in the summer, would you? Think of your windows as outlets for heat when they’re open and cool air when they are sealed. Not only should you keep your windows shut on hot days (and locked to create an air-tight seal), but you should also invest in light-colored shades that reflect sunlight and pull curtains closed during the day.

Of course, if nighttime temps in your area are cooler than during the day, open up your windows at night to allow the cooler air to circulate and close them back up in the morning to trap the cool air inside.

Get creative with exterior window shade.

You can decrease the workload on your air conditioner by shading windows that face east, south, and west. Outside of your house, consider adding roof eaves, awnings, or a trellis to create shade around windows. You can also reduce the impact of radiant heat and UV light with tinted window film that still allows you to see outside.

Plants are great for cooling your home too. Plant trees on the south and west sides of your home, as they will continue to help cool your home when they mature.

Cool your home from the inside out.

There’s no use in cooling your home if cool air will constantly be escaping. Ensure your home is properly sealed and insulated to keep cool air where it belongs. Seal any cracks or openings around windows and doors with caulk and check insulation in your attic and purchase some more if you need it at your local home improvement retailer.

If you’re remodeling or building an addition on your home that will require relocating exterior walls, another money-saving way to cool your home is to apply premium house wrap to the outside of exterior walls before siding is installed.

Maintain your air conditioner.

Believe it or not, your air conditioner is an appliance that requires regular tune ups to run smoothly. One of the easiest ways you can keep your air conditioner running at top performance is by changing out your air filter regularly. Air filters should be replaced every 2-3 months, depending on your air conditioner’s usage, if you live in a dusty area and whether you have pets.

Another way to keep your AC running efficiently is to have it professionally maintained once a year. Just like getting your oil changed at the auto shop, regular maintenance checkups can help your air-conditioner run more smoothly and prevent you from having to buy a new one. A professional should look over your system, test it, check your filter, and clean your air-conditioning unit inside and out.

Add a ceiling fan.

It may sound silly, but one of the best ways to circulate air around your home is by using a ceiling fan. Home experts advise homeowners to run ceiling fans on the top floor of their home and open windows on the first floor. Fans don’t just move air around. A fan’s air circulation can also help sweat evaporate from your skin.