We usually spend less money on bills during the summer months, but with inflation making everything more expensive, it’s wise to cut down where you can. This means you’ll have more money saved to enjoy summer! Here are 19 tips to help you save money on your bills this summer.
Take Cold Showers
Cold showers are a relief in summer, and they’re great for saving money on your energy bill. According to The Weather Channel, cold showers stop your water heater from using electricity, which saves money, and they’re also better for the environment. You can effectively cool your body and boost your wallet.
Set the Thermostat
You won’t want your central heating on during the summer, but you still need to set the thermostat to stay cool and avoid a hefty electricity bill. The recommended summer temperature for your home is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Setting the thermostat early on helps cool your home and save money.
Harvest Rainwater
Most people use hoses to water their lawns and plants, but collecting rainwater as summer approaches gives you an ample supply to use instead. Recycling rainwater gives your garden the sustenance it needs and stops your water bill from rising as it would if you used the hose. This is also incredibly eco-friendly!
Open Windows for Fresh Air
The summer heat can be unbearable, but using the AC all day quickly gets pricey. Instead, it’s recommended that you open windows to let in fresh air. For the best results, close the blinds on the windows you open to avoid too much sunlight coming in and heating things back up.
Dry Laundry Outdoors
With hotter, longer days, summer is the perfect time to hang your laundry outside to dry. Homes and Gardens reveals that one weekly load of laundry costs between $15.6 and $46.8, so tumble dryers significantly drain your electricity bill. You can eliminate those costs entirely by drying laundry outdoors.
Use Energy-Efficient Fans
Using your AC unit less will help you save money on your energy bills, but you’ll still need to cool your home. As a replacement, choose the most energy-efficient fans you can find. They may be expensive upfront, but they’ll save you more money in the long run than less efficient fans.
Keep Curtains Open Late
It stays lighter longer in summer, so why would you switch your lights on and waste electricity when you could utilize natural light instead? Keep the curtain open until it gets dark, and let the sunlight brighten your home. Keeping the lights off for as long as possible saves electricity and money.
Wash Your Clothes On a Cold Wash
It’s recommended to wash your clothes with cold water every season, but it’s an easy way to save extra money in summer. Set your washer to a temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This will also help prevent your smaller summer clothes from shrinking and protect delicate fabrics.
Have Fun Outdoors
When the weather is good, we want to spend more time outdoors, and enjoying ourselves out of the house can also be an effective way to save money. The longer you’re out, the less time you’ll spend with the television switched on or your phone plugged in, draining electricity and costing you money.
Don’t Take Baths
A long, cool bath sounds like Heaven in summer, but baths use more water and cost far more than showers. CNET warns that a year of 10-minute showers uses 9,125 gallons of water, while a year of half-filled baths uses 14,600 gallons. This is a massive discrepancy and a senseless waste of money.
Shut the Fridge Door Immediately
You should never leave your refrigerator open, but it’s a particularly foolish thing to do in summer. This is because the fridge heats up more quickly and then takes longer to cool down. As it cools, it wastes energy, so you’ll end up paying more for a minute or two of forgetfulness.
Install Solar Panels
Solar panels are an excellent investment all year round, but they’re particularly effective in the summer when there’s more sunlight. Once installed, they absorb sunlight and create free electricity for your home. The less electricity you buy from suppliers, the lower your bills will be.
Use LED Light Bulbs
You won’t need to turn the lights on as often during the summer, but using LED bulbs when you do can lower your energy bills even more. LED light bulbs use approximately 75% less energy than less efficient alternatives, so they’re perfect for creating additional summer savings.
Cover Your Pool
If you have a pool, you’ll want to use it in summer. However, many people decline to cover their pools when it’s hot, which inflates water bills. Water evaporates more quickly when it’s hot, so you’ll refill your pool more often and pay more for water.
Avoid Overusing Sprinklers
Sprinklers are an easy way to keep your garden watered, but they’re wasteful if not used strategically in summer. The US EPA estimates that American households use 9 billion gallons of water daily in their gardens, and sprinklers are part of the problem. Only have them running when they’re needed to avoid overspending.
Switch Devices Off Standby
Leaving appliances on standby is one of the most wasteful things you can do. This hidden electricity usage increases your bills, and it’s likely to happen often during summer. When you’re out of the house, you might leave devices on standby, allowing them to drain energy and your bank account.
Don’t Overfill the Refrigerator
When the weather is nice, you might be more inclined to throw parties or invite people over but don’t go overboard buying food for your gatherings. Overfilling your fridge blocks the vents from effectively circulating cool air, forcing it to work harder and use more energy, which you then must pay for.
Get an Eco Shower Head
Eco shower heads control the flow and spray of water to help you use less, so they’re a great investment for summer when you’ll be sweating and showering more often. Most people don’t realize how much water a shower uses, so an eco shower head will decrease that and save you money.
Have Your AC Unit Serviced
Last but not least, the summer heat can become so unbearably hot that only your AC can cool things down, so maintaining your unit all summer is essential for keeping it in proper working order. Have your unit serviced before summer begins to prevent it from malfunctioning and potentially wasting expensive energy!
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