5 Ideas to Lower Your Electric Bill This Summer
Extreme heat kills. In Maricopa County, officials confirmed 608 heat-related deaths in 2024, one of the highest totals ever recorded.
And when the cost of protecting yourself from the heat rises faster than wages, the issue stops being only about climate and becomes a social crisis.
That is the conclusion of a new report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) and the Center for Energy Poverty and Climate (CEPC).
The report warns that households are expected to face an average 8.5% increase in electricity costs during the 2026 summer season.
In practical terms, the average cost of cooling a home between June and September is expected to reach $778, the highest level recorded so far.
That number alone is already alarming. But the real concern becomes clear when looking at the broader context: since 2020, residential cooling costs have increased by more than 37%.
For low- and middle-income families, including millions of Hispanic households, the situation is even more severe. These families already face an energy burden roughly 20% higher than white households.
Rising electricity prices, increased demand for cooling, limited access to air conditioning, and insufficient federal and state assistance programs are all contributing to a growing affordability crisis.
So what can families do?
While this is ultimately a structural issue that requires public policy solutions, here are five practical ideas to help reduce energy costs this summer.
Use your air conditioner more efficiently
Set your thermostat between 75°F and 78°F when you are home. Every degree lower can significantly increase electricity use. If you have ceiling fans, use them alongside your A/C to circulate cool air more effectively.
Block heat from the sun. Keep curtains, blinds, or blackout shades closed during the hottest hours of the day, especially on windows that receive direct sunlight.
Unplug devices you are not using. Many electronics continue to consume electricity even when turned off, including chargers, televisions, microwaves, gaming consoles, and other appliances.
Avoid generating extra heat indoors. Instead of using the oven, try microwaves, electric grills, or air fryers, or cook earlier in the morning or later at night. It also helps to do laundry and use the dryer outside the hottest hours of the day.
Improve your home’s energy efficiency. Replace air conditioning filters regularly and seal air leaks around doors and windows. A well-insulated home stays comfortable with less energy use and lower monthly bills.
Energy-saving measures can help ease the immediate pressure on households, but they are not a substitute for stronger public policies that expand energy assistance, improve infrastructure, and protect the most vulnerable communities.
Because when surviving extreme heat depends on the size of your electric bill, inequality also becomes a matter of life and death.