Beat the summer heat without breaking the bank with these simple energy-saving tips to keep your home cool!
Summer means sunshine, backyard BBQs, and unfortunately, soaring temps and rising utility bills… Especially for Texas homeowners. As the heat cranks up, your AC system is likely working overtime to keep your home comfortable. But don’t sweat it! There are easy, effective ways you can save energy and lower your monthly costs without sacrificing comfort.
Here are eight simple tips to help homeowners cool down while also keeping energy use in check this summer:
1. Schedule an HVAC Tune-UpYour HVAC system is the MVP of summer comfort—so make sure it’s running efficiently! You can schedule a seasonal cleaning and routine maintenance check with a local HVAC tech to ensure your system is running properly. A well-maintained unit cools much faster, uses way less energy, and lasts a lot longer.
Pro Tip: You can also save energy by changing your air filters regularly! Typically, air filters need to be replaced around every three months, but this can vary depending on how much you use your AC, if you have pets, if there’s construction in the area, etc… Check their condition regularly and replace them as needed.
2. Seal Up Cracks & Stop Air Leaks
Air leaks through window gaps, drafty doors, or other unsealed areas not only allow the hot air to enter your home, but also for the cool air to escape. Both of these events will make your AC work even harder to keep your house at a comfortable temp. To prevent this, you can re-caulk window frames and add new weatherstripping to your doors to enhance the seals in problem areas and keep that cool air inside where it belongs.
Pro Tip: You can check for any air leaks by holding a lit candle or a lighter near windows and doors on a windy day. If the flame flickers or pulls in a certain direction, you've found a draft that needs sealing!
3. Clean Your Ceiling Fans
Over time, dirt and dust naturally collect on the blades of your ceiling fans (whether you use them or not). Dusty fan blades slow airflow and can impact circulation a lot more than you think! Give them a quick clean with a feather duster or damp cloth to free up those blades. Plus, you’ll prevent the spread of allergens!
Pro Tip: During the summer, set your ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise—this will alter the air circulation and make your rooms feel cooler. When fan blades spin counter-clockwise, warm air is pulled up while cold air is pushed down. Just remember to switch them back during the winter!
4. Add Shade to Landscaping
Strategically planting tall plants, like shrubs or trees, near windows that face sun (especially southern windows) can provide some natural shade throughout the day and help to lower indoor temperatures. Not to mention, nice landscaping enhances your curb appeal!
Pro Tip: Choose fast-growing, drought-tolerant native plants for your landscaping—like Texas redbud or yaupon holly for Houston homeowners—for maximum shade with minimal maintenance and water usage during the hotter months.
5. Install Blackout Curtains or Solar Shades
While tons of natural light looks beautiful, it heats up your home extremely fast. Blackout curtains or solar shades are simple upgrades you can add to your windows that make a big difference on your energy bill. Blackout curtains block out nearly all sunlight and provide insulation (better regulating the temperature), while solar shades reduce glare and UV exposure without completely darkening the room. Both options will help your home stay cooler and prevent your AC from overworking.
Pro Tip: For maximum efficiency, install the rods for your curtains or shades a few inches above and beyond the window frames to prevent sunlight from pouring in around the edges.
Have blinds already installed? If you have traditional blinds on your windows, you can tilt them upwards on hot days to prevent the sun from heating up a room!
6. Switch to LED Lightbulbs
Swapping out traditional incandescent bulbs for LEDs is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to boost your home's energy efficiency—especially during the summer. LED bulbs use up to 75% less energy, last significantly longer, and emit far less heat than other bulbs. That means your lights won't be working against your air conditioner on those sweltering summer nights. It’s a small change with a big impact on both your utility bill and your carbon footprint.
Pro Tip: Focus on high-traffic areas first—like kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms—to see the most immediate savings. And look for ENERGY STAR® certified bulbs for an even better performance and reliability! You can also try using natural light instead of indoor lighting during the day where possible to save both energy and money.
7. Close Off Unused Rooms
Cooling your entire home when you're only using a few rooms at a time is like running the AC with the windows open—it wastes energy and drives up your utility bill! If you have a guest room or storage space that you don’t use regularly, keep the doors closed and close off the air vents in the room to redirect airflow to the rooms that you do use. This will essentially reduce the overall square footage your AC needs to cool down and improve its efficiency.
8. Program Your Thermostat
Fine-tuning your thermostat can make a huge difference for both your comfort and your utility bill. During summer months, the Department of Energy suggests setting your thermostat at 75-78°F when you're at home for optimal energy efficiency. When you're away, increase it by 7–10 degrees to avoid cooling an empty house.
Pro Tip: Align your thermostat settings with your ceiling fans to effectively increase cool air circulation. Just remember: fans cool people, not rooms—so turn them off when you leave to maximize savings.
Small changes like these can help make a big difference when it comes to energy efficiency and staying cool during hot summers. By following these tips, you and your wallet can stay cool this summer!
Looking for a home with energy-efficient upgrades already built in? Our team knows just where to look—Contact us to find your summer dream home!
Alexis Feezel is a results-oriented Marketing Coordinator responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing all promotional strategies and activities to effectively market clients & listings and maximize sales.