How to Keep Cool and Lower Your Electric Bill this Summer

Ahhh, summertime, when the livin’ is easy. But maybe not so easy on your energy bills. 

Thanks to today’s smart technologies, though, keeping your cool during the dog days of summer doesn’t have to come at the expense of skyrocketing electric bills. Now there are smarter ways to beat the heat while saving money during peak energy periods. 

Let’s look at three ‘smart’ ways to keep your home comfortable and lower your electric bill.  

1. Lower your electric bill with smart thermostat apps

One of the easiest and most effective ways to save on cooling costs is by optimizing your home’s temperature with a smart thermostat. These intelligent devices allow you to control your home’s temperature remotely and adjust settings based on occupancy and weather conditions via your smartphone. 

There are many brands of popular smart thermostats to choose from. Apps offer features like geofencing, learning algorithms and energy-saving recommendations.  

By leveraging geofencing technology, an app can detect when you leave or arrive home, automatically adjusting the temperature to help lower your electric bill. Learning algorithms analyze your usage patterns and make personalized recommendations for optimal temperature settings. 

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According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save up to 10% per year on heating and cooling costs by lowering their thermostat by 7-10°F for eight hours per day.¹ 

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2. Automated pool controls

Keeping your cool in the pool is a great way to beat the summer heat, but maintaining the right water temperature can be costly. (Kinda defeats the purpose if your pool feels like bath water. 🛀) 

This is where automated pool controls can help. With them, you can remotely monitor and adjust your pool’s temperature, filtration and chemical levels to save energy and money. 

Some automated pool products offer smartphone integration, so you can control your pool’s settings from anywhere. By scheduling the pool’s filtration and heating cycles to run during off-peak hours or reducing the temperature when the pool is not in use, significant energy savings can be achieved.

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According to the U.S. Department of Energy, reducing your pool’s temperature by just one degree Fahrenheit can save up to 10% on energy costs.² 

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3. Power company demand response programs

Many utility companies now offer demand response programs aimed at reducing power needs during peak energy periods. These programs incentivize homeowners to conserve energy by using their appliances during off-peak hours when electricity demand is lower. By participating in these programs, homeowners can reduce their electricity bills while helping to stabilize the power grid. 

For instance, some utility companies provide reduced rates for electricity consumed during off-peak hours or offer rebates for using energy-efficient appliances. Some even offer smart thermostats or energy monitoring devices to track and control your energy use. Check with your local utility company to see what programs are available in your area and how you can participate. 

Get smarter this summer

Staying cool during the summer doesn’t have to bust your budget. You can lower your electric bill by taking advantage of today’s smart technologies to help you beat the heat and save money.  

Want more free tips on saving energy and reducing energy costs? Visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver site or contact your local utility company. 

And if you’re looking for a new, energy-efficient home (maybe one with a cool pool?), check out our latest listings on offerpad.com/buy. You can save money there, too, when you bundle buying, selling and getting a home loan with us.