Hot weather means your air conditioner works longer to keep a comfortable temperature, which naturally raises electricity use. Your refrigerator and freezer also tend to consume more energy during warmer weather.

Your cooling system may be the reason you are using more energy. Older equipment or systems lacking maintenance consume more energy. Check out our rebates to see if it’s worth upgrading your system.

During the summer months, we usually use more appliances like fans and pool pumps. This can have a big effect on your energy use, which reflects on your bill. Understand your needs and use your appliances wisely.

Clogged filters or vents force systems to work harder. Clean your filter once a month and vents once a year. Doing this can also help with those annoying allergies!

Inadequate insulation lets hot air in and cool air out, increasing energy consumption. Always check your home for any leaks and seal them.

During spring and summer, the humidity is usually higher. Dehumidifiers work longer to remove moisture from the air, which can also increase energy use. And don’t forget about AC’s that are working hard to cool your home too.

People tend to stay at home more during summer breaks or vacations, leading to higher use of electronics, lighting and appliances. The good news? Summer’s great for enjoying the great outdoors—and using less energy while you're at it.

Set your air conditioning to 78° or higher during the warm season. Each degree above 75° saves you approximately 3% of the energy used to cool your home.

Whenever you’re not home, turn up the temperatures, unless you have a heat pump. With a programmable thermostat, you can do it anytime and anywhere. Check out our selection on our Smart Solutions page.

Look for and seal any leaks in your ductwork. There are many ways to do it, but we recommend checking out our Home Energy Solutions service.

Seal air leaks in your home with simple DIY fixes from our Smart Solutions or sign up for a low-cost home energy audit GetEnergySmart.com.

Close air conditioning vents in rooms you’re not using during the season. Keep your cool air where you actually need it.

Explore newer, more efficient systems to help you save energy. Our Home Energy Solutions program offers expert recommendations tailored to your needs.

Whenever possible, use natural light instead of turning on electrical ones. To avoid the heat, open the curtains in the morning or late afternoon, when sunlight is less intense or in rooms that don’t get direct sunlight, like north-facing windows.

It seems opposite of the tip above, but they can work together. Close the curtains during peak sunlight hours and in west-facing and south-facing windows. Use sheer curtains to diffuse light while blocking heat. Open blinds angled upward to let in light but reflect heat. Consider thermal or reflective curtains that reduce heat gain while still allowing some light.

If you are not in the room, turn off fans and while you’re at it, the same goes for lights!

Opening the fridge or freezer door for long periods lets all the cold air out, making the compressor work longer to maintain temperatures. Think about everything you want from the fridge before opening it. Same goes for the oven—use the window to check your food instead of opening the door all the time!

Letting your laundry air-dry on a clothesline or drying rack uses zero electricity and reduces wear and tear on your clothes. It’s an easy way to cut down on energy use!

Many of us decide to remodel or plant trees during the warmer season. But you can risk hitting and damaging underground utilities pipes and cables. Always contact Call Before You Dig before work begins so underground utilities are located and marked.

Keep a safe distance from power lines and never touch cables with any part of your body. This includes during vegetation trimming, fireworks and flying kites or drones.

Never allow any type of electric wires or power cables (including your phone charger!) to cross or be near any body of water. If you have pools or similar, ensure all electrical connections to pools and tubs are grounded. Connections that aren’t grounded can lead to electrical shock.  Have ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets installed for any outlets near water. These highly sensitive outlets quickly detect changes in electrical current.

Imagine this: you are barbequing, a big fan is on, your speaker is playing music and it’s time to charge your phone. During summer, we tend to use more appliances, but be careful to not overload your outlets. With power strips, you avoid it and can save energy, as they turn off idle devices.

We know being outside is great! But make sure you are using outdoor-rated equipment when you are outside and using battery-operated electrical devices outside whenever possible.

Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, such as metal fences. If you see a downed power line, stay away and call 911 or 800.722.5584. If your basement or home floods, the first thing you should do is to turn off your electricity if it’s safe to do so, otherwise, call 911.