Summer has arrived, bringing higher temperatures and, inevitably, increased energy usage. But keeping your home comfortable doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. To help you manage your seasonal electricity consumption, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of actionable summer energy-saving tips on our blog.

From optimizing your thermostat settings during peak hours to simple adjustments that reduce ambient heat indoors, these strategies are designed to complement your lifestyle. Read on for practical tips to keep your energy bills under control this summer.

Optimize Your Thermostat for Summer Efficiency

Everyone loves escaping the summer heat by stepping into a chilled room. But running your air conditioner on full blast all day is one of the biggest drivers of high utility bills. Making a few strategic adjustments to your thermostat is one of the simplest and most impactful changes you can make.

Nudging the temperature up 7 to 10 degrees when you are out of the house for the day can result in substantial savings—there is no need to pay to cool an empty home.

To maximize your energy savings, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat. You can set it to automatically raise the temperature while you are at work and cool things down right before you arrive home. Many smart thermostats can even be controlled through your phone, ensuring you never waste energy cooling an empty house.

Keep the Heat Out with Smart Cooling Strategies

The summer sun beating down on your windows creates a greenhouse effect, forcing your AC to work overtime. Simple window treatments can drastically reduce this ambient indoor heat. Keep curtains, shades, or blinds closed on south- and west-facing windows during the hottest parts of the day. Insulated or blackout curtains are highly effective at preventing solar heat gain.

You can also supplement your AC by taking advantage of your home’s ceiling fans. Ensure your fans are rotating counterclockwise during the summer to push air straight down and create a cooling draft. Because the moving air makes you feel cooler by accelerating the evaporation of moisture on your skin, you can often raise your thermostat a few degrees without sacrificing comfort. Just remember to turn them off when you leave the room—fans cool people, not empty spaces.

Smart Cooking for Sustainable Summer Gatherings

Summer entertaining and backyard barbecues put different demands on your home's energy systems. Baking or roasting on a hot July afternoon introduces a massive amount of excess heat into your kitchen, forcing your cooling system to compensate. But with strategic planning, you can host memorable summer gatherings without wasting energy.

Take your cooking outside to the grill—keeping the heat outside is the best way to keep your kitchen cool. When you do need to cook indoors, opt for smaller appliances. Microwaves, air fryers, slow cookers, and toaster ovens use significantly less electricity than a conventional oven and emit a fraction of the heat. Embracing cold meals like fresh salads and sandwiches on scorching days is another easy way to keep your home's internal temperature down.

Join Community Solar

Want to support renewable energy this summer? Community Solar offers an innovative solution that requires no installation, no upfront costs, and works whether you rent or own your home. When you subscribe to a Community Solar farm, you're supporting local clean energy development while saving on your electricity costs (usually between 5 and 20%). Community Solar is particularly beneficial during high-energy months like July and August, when those savings really add up.

Already enjoying Community Solar savings? Spread the sunshine by referring friends and family to Ampion's program. It's a gift that keeps giving all year long—they'll save money on electric bills while supporting clean energy. Many Community Solar programs offer referral bonuses, with both you and your friend receiving rewards like $100 Visa gift cards when they complete enrollment. Log into your Ampion portal to share this sustainable choice with loved ones.

Stay Cool, Save Money

The summer season doesn't mean you have to choose between staying cool and being frugal, or comfortable and mindful. By implementing these energy-saving strategies, you can reduce your environmental impact while keeping more money in your pocket for what really matters—enjoying summer vacations and backyard gatherings with loved ones.

Start with simple swaps like utilizing ceiling fans and adjusting your thermostat. Take your cooking outside to the grill. And consider joining the Community Solar movement to support renewable energy while saving on electricity costs.