Ways to save energy during the summer

By David Pilley on July 13, 2012

The Raleigh-Durham area just set a new record with six consecutive days of high temperatures at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The area also saw the all-time record high, 105 degrees, reached three times. This temperature had been reached on three other occasions since data began being collected at the RDU International Airport in World War II. It’s summertime, and it’s hot! During the hottest months of the year, it’s important to keep cool, but it’s equally important to save energy. Using too much energy can result in unaffordable bills and hardware malfunctions. Here are some tips to save up, while staying cool at the same time.


Turn up the thermostat. Over 60 people have died already this summer from a combination of deadly heat and destructive storms. Staying cool is a major priority during these months, but too much of a good thing can hurt you. Room temperature is considered 72 degrees Fahrenheit, but you need to turn up the temperature a bit during summer. Usually, if it is 25 or more degrees hotter outside than inside, your air conditioner will run continuously. This could cause the system to overheat, and then you will eventually overheat, as well. During summer daylight hours, keep your thermostat between 74 and 78 degrees.

Turn everything off for an hour. For an hour each day, turn the thermostat off. Turn off the fan, turn off the lights, and unplug the laptop and other utilities. You should also keep toasters, coffee makers, and nightlights unplugged at all times, unless they are in use. I like to turn everything off and go unplugged for the first hour I’m awake. If you can’t do it in the morning, turn everything off an hour before you go to bed.

Replace your insulation. When you hear insulation, you think of winter. However, poor insulation can also make you miserable during the summer. Proper insulation keeps the inside cooler and drier, and the humidity stays outside where it belongs. You should also seal up any cracks or gaps in walls or doorways that may allow the cooler air inside to escape and force your air conditioner to work harder.

Utilize screens or blinds. They say it’s ten degrees cooler in the shade, and this is usually true. Windows can be a trap, as heat is allowed in through radiation. On those extra hot days of 100 or more, keep all windows covered with blinds. While the window will still be hot, the air around it will not, and this will prevent your air conditioner from running continuously.

Air-dry clothes. Weather-permitting, you should go outside every once in a while and dry your wet laundry on a clothesline. This could save you a few dollars each month on your electricity bill, and it beats cleaning out the lint trap all the time!

When in doubt, use a fan. This is important for those, especially in the Northeast, whose houses do not have air conditioning. Stagnant air inside the home will heat up quickly, especially around windows. Keeping an air flow will maintain a cooler temperature inside. Whether it’s a ceiling fan or a personal handheld fan, make sure you have one running during the peak afternoon hours. It’s also crucial to have a battery-powered fan, in case you lose electricity at any point.


Global warming is happening. Whether human activity is at fault or whether it is a natural cycle is beside the point. Average global temperatures have risen a degree in the past century, and the amount of record daily high temperatures has outnumbered the record daily low temperatures two to one in the past decade. In 2012, that number has been seven to one so far. Now, more than ever, it is important to stay safe during the extreme heat. By using these strategies, you can both stay cool and keep your bills from skyrocketing.

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Also see: How to Get Electric Bill Assistance