7 Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill This Summer

Summer heat in Vancouver, WA, can be harsh. With longer daylight hours, rising temperatures, and more people staying indoors, energy usage climbs fast. That means higher bills. If your cooling system is working harder than it should be, you’ll feel it in your wallet.

Even a few days of triple-digit temps can send electric bills soaring. And while running the AC all day during a heat wave might feel necessary, it’s also expensive. 

Energy Saving Tips for Summer

Fortunately, there are other ways to save on your electric bill and cool your home more efficiently, and naturally, without sacrificing comfort. Let’s take a look at how to lower your electric bill in summer, especially if you live somewhere like the Pacific Northwest, where seasonal heat sneaks up. 

1. Use Blackout Curtains to Block Direct Sunlight

Windows can act like magnifying glasses in the summer, and when the afternoon sun blasts through your living room, your air conditioner has to work harder to keep things bearable.

Blackout curtains can be a surprisingly powerful tool to keep your house cool without AC. They’re designed to block sunlight entirely, which helps reduce the heat coming into your home. As a bonus, they help protect furniture and floors from sun fading, too.

If you want to take it a step further, we recommend opting for thermal blackout curtains. These have insulating layers that also help in winter by trapping heat inside when it’s cold and reflecting it away when it’s hot. 

It’s an easy way to improve the comfort of your home year-round without a major investment.

2. Add Heat-Reducing Window Film

Heat-reducing window film is a sleek, affordable fix for rooms that tend to overheat, especially if you’re renting and can’t change the windows. These adhesive films go right on the glass and can reflect up to 80% of incoming solar heat and UV rays, all without blocking your view.

Installation is easy, and many products peel right off if you ever move out or want to try something different. Unlike bulky treatments, films are very discreet. We always recommend them to people with large windows or sun-facing sliding doors if standard curtains don’t quite cut it. 

3. Install a Smart Thermostat

If you’re still using a manual thermostat, it might be time to get out of the Stone Age! Smart thermostats adjust your home’s temperature based on when you're there and when you're not, all without you having to lift a finger.

Let’s say you’re out at work during the day. 

A smart thermostat will raise the temperature to lower your air conditioning costs, then bring it back down just before you return. You can also control settings remotely via smartphone, set schedules, and track your usage habits.

According to Energy Star, a properly programmed thermostat can save up to 10–15% annually on cooling costs. That’s hundreds of dollars back in your pocket over time. The best part is that many utility companies offer rebates for upgrading to one, too.

4. Embrace Cooling Houseplants

This one’s for plant lovers! 

Certain houseplants actually help cool the air around them by releasing moisture through a process called transpiration. So, you’re favorite greens can be functional, not just decorative.

Some of the most popular options include the snake plant, aloe vera, areca palm, and peace lily. These plants are low-maintenance and naturally purify the air while increasing humidity, which can be even more useful in dry summer climates.

It’s one of our favorite summer cooling tips to make your home feel nicer and look cleaner while adding a little visual peace and greenery. 

5. Upgrade to LED Bulbs and Limit Appliance Use

Here’s a summer paradox: the very things you use indoors might be heating your home without you realizing it. 

Incandescent light bulbs, for instance, emit around 90% of their energy as heat, which is not ideal when you're trying to cool things down.

If you switch to LED bulbs, you can eliminate that extra heat and save energy at the same time. LEDs last longer, run cooler, and use a fraction of the power.

Appliances are another hidden culprit. 

Dishwashers, dryers, and ovens pump out a surprising amount of heat. So, when it’s hot out, try air-drying clothes, using the microwave or grilling outdoors, and running appliances during cooler evening hours.

6. Use Fans Strategically

Fans circulate air, not cool it. But used the right way, they can make a room feel several degrees cooler. 

Start by making sure your ceiling fans are set to spin counter-clockwise in summer. This pushes cool air down and creates a breeze effect. Box and tower fans can be placed near windows in the evening to bring in cooler outside air.

You can also use the cross-ventilation trick, which is opening windows on opposite sides of the home to create airflow.

7. Consider Cool-Roof Coatings or Reflective Paint

If you’re a homeowner thinking long-term, cool-roof coatings and reflective paints are worth a look. These are specially formulated to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than traditional roofing.

That translates to real, measurable benefits. Cool roofs can be up to 50°F cooler than a conventional dark roof on a sunny day, which can lower the heat transferred into your attic and home.

It’s especially useful for homes with older roofs or poor attic insulation, as traditional materials tend to trap heat. 

While you’ll spend more on this kind of upgrade upfront compared to curtains or fans, the savings can stack up fast over time.

HVAC Maintenance Vancouver, WA

When you decide to use your AC, make sure it’s running efficiently.

At the end of the day, no matter how many blackout curtains or houseplants you bring in, you’ll probably still need your air conditioner on certain high temp days.

But if your system is old, dirty, or leaking coolant, it’s going to work harder (not to mention cost more) for worse results. That’s why it’s important to get regular HVAC maintenance in Vancouver, WA.

With a seasonal tune-up, a professional can improve your system’s airflow, check refrigerant levels, and make sure your unit is working as efficiently as possible. That alone can save you money and prevent potential future breakdowns.

Miller’s Heating & Air offers expert inspections and AC tune-ups here in the Pacific Northwest.

Ready to Reduce That Energy Bill This Summer?

Call Miller’s Heating & Air in Vancouver, WA, today. Our local HVAC pros are here to help homeowners like you maximize your cooling efficiency, so you can stay comfortable without sweating the bill.