15 Tips to Reduce Your Summer Electric Bill
Want lower energy bills during summer? As temperatures rise and air conditioners work overtime, it’s no surprise that electricity costs will surge.
Learning how to cut your electric bill during peak heat can make a significant difference for your household budget. This blog, brought to you by BKV Energy, offers practical strategies to help keep your home cool without overspending.
1. Set your thermostat (just a little) higher
Setting your thermostat to 76°F when your home and 78°F while you’re away can cut cooling costs significantly. Each degree below 78 can increase energy use by 6%–8%. Before you head out for a mid-day matinee at AMC or Regal, set the thermostat to 78°F and let the savings stack up!
Raising your thermostat may sound uncomfortable to some Texans, but it pairs great with our next step which can help indoor temperatures feel 4 degrees cooler!
2. Use ceiling fans to reduce HVAC costs
To maximize the benefits of ceiling fans and ensure optimal energy efficiency, especially since fans use far less electricity than air conditioning, follow these simple steps:
- Counterclockwise Fan Rotation: Every fan in your home should rotate counterclockwise during summer months to create a cooling downward airflow. A clockwise rotation is better in winter for an upward flow that redistributes warm air more efficiently.
- Medium to High Speed: Higher speeds create stronger breeze, making you feel cooler. So, you’ll want to use higher speed settings at the hottest times of day and slower speeds when it’s cooler later in the evening.
- Optimize Your Usage: Fans cool people, not rooms. Always remember to turn the fans off when you move to another area of the house, otherwise you’re wasting electricity.
3. Shield your home from the sun’s heat
Strategic shading helps in two ways:
- Preventing direct sunlight from entering your home
- Keeping your outdoor AC unit cooler
By utilizing the tips below, you can improve the efficiency of your AC system, which results in a lower electricity bill.
- Awnings, Pagodas, and Trellises: A strategically placed structure can help shade your windows from outside your home. This is especially impactful on south and west-facing sides of your home.
- Shut Blinds and Curtains: Blocking the sun from inside your home is also effective. Window treatments like blinds, shades, and curtains can help keep your indoor areas much cooler.
- Energy Efficient Landscaping: Leafy trees can provide maximum shade during summer to help keep your home cool, but also lose their leaves and provide more ambient light and heat during the winter.
4. Seal up air leaks and enhance your home’s insulation
Even small gaps around doors and windows can let in hot, humid air, driving up your cooling costs. Weatherstripping, caulking, and proper insulation improve efficiency. Hiring a professional for a home energy audit can help identify exactly where these improvements are needed.
5. Reduce the brightness settings on your television
Decreasing the brightness and backlight settings on your television reduces how much energy your TV consumes while you watch your favorite shows and movies. Plus, it’s better for your eyes and can improve your sleep patterns.
6. Run big appliances in the morning and at night
Use dishwashers, laundry machines, and dryers in the evening or early morning when outdoor temperatures are lower. These appliances generate heat, so running them at night helps keep your home cooler and lessens the load on your air conditioning system during the day.
7. Ditch your incandescent light bulbs
LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and give off less heat, helping your AC do less work.
8. Schedule an HVAC system tune up
Have your air conditioning system serviced before summer heat arrives in full force. A clean filter and well-maintained unit run more efficiently—and more reliably.
9. Optimize your AC with a smart thermostat
Automated schedules help avoid unnecessary cooling when no one’s home, saving money without any extra effort.
10. Install light dimmers and timers
Using dimmer switches and timers lets you customize lighting to match your ambiance while saving energy. By managing when and how lights operate, you can avoid unnecessary use, help bulbs last longer, and automate lighting schedules for added efficiency.
11. Plug devices into power strips to eliminate “phantom energy”
Even when powered off, devices like TVs, game consoles, and coffee makers consume standby power. Consider smart plugs or power strips to shut them off completely.
12. Switch to ENERGY STAR appliances
If you’re replacing appliances, look for ENERGY STAR certified models. They use less energy and water, reducing long-term costs.
13. Use reflective window film to block even more heat
Window films block solar heat and UV rays, reducing indoor temperatures and helping protect furniture from fading.
14. Use your pool pump efficiently
If you have a pool, limit pump use to 6–8 hours per day during off-peak times. Consider a variable-speed pump for even more savings.
15. Avoid gimmicks and lock in savings with an affordable fixed-rate plan like Bluebonnet
Not all electricity plans are created equal. Many providers advertise “free nights and weekends” or “bill credit” gimmicks that can lead to unexpected bill spikes, especially during peak summer usage.
These plans often mask higher energy rates with limited-time perks or confusing pricing structures.
Instead, look for a transparent, no-nonsense plan like BKV Energy’s Bluebonnet plan. It offers:
- No base charges or minimum usage fees
- Low, fixed rate you can count on
- ElectroShare, annual loyalty payout
- 30-day no-risk period where early termination fees don’t apply
- Full rate transparency what you see is what you get
For residents of the South Houston area looking to control their energy costs, the Bluebonnet plan delivers predictability, clarity, and long-term value without the misleading marketing traps.
BONUS: BKV Energy can offer you a lower rate mid-contract, for free
Yes, you read that correctly! With BKV Energy, it’s possible to secure a cheaper electricity rate without switching electricity plans or providers. BKV Energy offers an exclusive “Reduce Your Rate” program that monitors the Texas energy market daily.
If rates drop below your current locked-in price, we can offer you a lower rate without the need to pay an early termination fee or switch providers.
It’s a hassle-free way to take advantage of market dips without lifting a finger or paying a fee. No gimmicks, no penalties, just proactive savings when the opportunity arises.
Let BKV Energy Help You Take Control
At BKV Energy, we’re committed to helping South Houston families take control of their energy bills with straightforward, affordable electricity plans with no gimmicks or surprises. Whether you’re looking for stability, simplicity, or just a better rate, our Bluebonnet plan is a customer favorite. Enter your zip code to explore plans tailored to your home’s needs.