5 Practical Ways to Lower Your Cooling Costs This Summer

Cooling costs typically spike during the hottest months, but a few practical adjustments can meaningfully reduce your bill without sacrificing comfort. Set your thermostat a few degrees higher when you're away or asleep — a programmable or smart thermostat can automate this without any extra effort. Use ceiling or standing fans alongside your AC; moving air feels cooler, letting you raise the thermostat setting by a couple of degrees while feeling just as comfortable. Seal obvious air leaks around windows and doors, since conditioned air escaping through gaps forces your system to work harder. Keep blinds or curtains closed during peak sun hours, particularly on west-facing windows, to reduce heat gain. Finally, don't skip your annual maintenance visit — a dirty coil or low refrigerant charge can reduce efficiency by a significant margin, meaning your system works harder for the same result. Combined, these habits typically add up to noticeable monthly savings.