The Homeowner’s Guide to Lowering Summer Utility Bills

If you live in Collierville, Tennessee, you know how unforgiving the summers can be. It’s hot but more than that it’s that sticky, humid kind of heat that makes everything feel that more unbearable. As temperatures rise and remain high from late spring to early fall, your utility bills often do the same.

And if we’re being real — when the summer heat really kicks in, your air conditioner never gets a break. When you factor in trying to keep cool and running all sorts of appliances nonstop, no wonder energy bills can really get out of control! It can seem as though, despite all your best efforts, costs continue to spiral out of control.

But the good news is that there are in fact several simple and very doable things you can start doing today that will help make those bills a whole lot more manageable. You don’t have to sacrifice your comfort to save money either. So if you’re sick of sweating in more ways than one (namely the heat and that high electricity bill), we’ve rounded up a concise yet comprehensive list of tips on how to keep your home cool without letting your bills get out of control.

Get a Professional AC Tune-Up

This is the place to start. Seriously.

Your air conditioning is running 24/7 in the summer. Much of the cooling of your home’s air is provided by your AC. So if it’s not in great condition, it’s likely burning through energy like mad.

Here’s why a tune-up matters:

• Cleans accumulated dirt and residue from filters and coils.
• Repairs minor problems before they become expensive repairs.
• Runs the system more efficiently and uses less energy.
• Prevents surprise breakdowns in the middle of heat waves.

If it’s been a while since your unit was checked, you hire an AC service in Collierville, TN. This allows your system to cool your house more effectively and efficiently.

Set Your Thermostat for Efficiency

The next thing on this list is changing your thermostat settings. There’s no need to crank it to the lowest levels to cool your home. Small changes can help you save on bills without having to experience the discomfort of living in a sauna.

Try this:

• Set the thermostat at about 78°F when you’re at home.
• Raise it 5-8 degrees when away or sleeping.
• Use a smart or programmable thermostat to automate temperature changes.

These tiny tweaks really do add up. You won’t waste energy cooling an empty space and will not over-strain your system.

Plug Those Little Gaps

Remember those drafts you always discover in the winter? Yeah, they’re the same nuisance in the summer — this time letting hot air in and refreshing cool air out.

Here’s what you can do:

• Feel for drafts around windows and doors.
• Apply strip weatherstripping to door frames or inoperable windows.
• Fill small gaps or cracks along baseboards and around window trims with some caulk.

This isn’t just cheap — it’s highly effective. When you seal up those air leaks, it keeps that cool air inside like it’s supposed to be, lightening the load on your AC unit and making your home more uniformly comfortable.

Use Fans to Help Your AC

Ceiling fans and floor fans are super helpful, especially in rooms that tend to run warm.

Here’s how they help:

• Move air to cool down your body even if the temperatureis the same.
• Allow you to set your thermostat a few degrees higher without losing any comfort.
• Consume a fraction of the energy need to crank the AC up.

Pro tip: Check to see that fans on the ceiling are spinning counterclockwise in the summer. That way they force air down and help you feel a cool breeze. A small tweak is all it takes but it makes all the difference.

Close the Blinds When It’s Hot and Sunny Out

Sunlight is lovely but it also carries a lot of heat – especially in the middle of the day. Sunshine only makes your AC work overtime to cool the room back down.

Do this instead:

• Close blinds or curtains when it’s the brightest outside (late morning to early evening).
• Consider blackout curtains for rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight.
• Bounce heat off with light-colored window treatments.

Blocking the sun for the hottest parts of the day can lower the indoor temp by a few degrees — and you won’t have to run your AC on full blast.

Upgrade Appliances if Possible

If you can afford to invest a little in your home, this is a solid long-term move. Older appliances not only draw more energy — they can also add heat to your home, making cooling your space  more difficult.

Start with the basics:

• Upgrade old refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers to Energy Star appliances.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs that are more energy-efficient and generate less heat.
• Replace your HVAC system if it’s over 10 years old and frequently failing.

These upgrades can ultimately pay for themselves through smaller monthly bills.

Clear Debris from Your Outdoor AC Unit

Your air-con unit needs to breathe. If it’s surrounded by tall grass, dust or other clutter, it has a hard time doing its job.

Keep it running well by:

• Cutting away plants and weeds that prevent airflow.
• Removing rocks, leaves, twigs or dirt covering the base of the unit.
• Maintaining a minimum of 2-feet of clearance on all sides.

A couple of minutes with a set of garden shears can make a big difference to your air-conditioner.

Create Outdoor Shade Where Possible

Shade features around your home are not just about making your yard prettier. They actually help cool your home as well.

Here are some ideas:

• Plant shade trees outside sun-exposed windows or patios.
• Add awnings, pergolas or giant patio umbrellas.
• Install heat-blocking outdoor curtains or solar screens.

These choices minimize the heat that accumulates outside your home which means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard inside.

So, what did we learn here?

• Begin with an AC tune-up — It’s everything.
• Be smart with your thermostat — Even a few degrees can help.
• Seal drafts and leaks — This one is easy and productive.
• Use fans, close curtains, and upgrade your appliances — These small actions add up.
• Introduce outdoor shade to support your AC.

It’s not that any of these things are difficult or expensive. The next time that bill comes in lower than it should, you’ll stay cool, comfortable and very happy.

So schedule that AC check in Collierville now. Then choose a handful of these tips to get going. Tiny interventions can result in big differences, especially when the heat is unbearable.