U.S. households are expected to pay an average of 10.5% more for electricity this summer, but experts say a few simple adjustments to air conditioner use can significantly reduce energy costs without sacrificing comfort.
According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), the average household’s electricity bill is projected to rise from $717 to $792 between June and September. In hotter states such as Arizona, cooling costs could exceed $1,000 during the same period.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat to 78°F when people are home and raising it by 7 to 10 degrees when the house is empty for at least eight hours a day. Officials say this practice can reduce annual heating and cooling costs by up to 10%.
Additional recommendations include using ceiling fans alongside air conditioning, cleaning air filters every two to four weeks, closing blinds and curtains during peak sunlight hours, and avoiding the use of heat-generating appliances during the hottest part of the day. Combined, these measures can reduce cooling-related energy consumption by as much as 18%, according to efficiency estimates.
