How to cut summer electricity costs as temperatures climb

A thermostat set to 78 degrees can help reduce summer electricity use and lower household power bills, according to Rocky Mountain Power. Photo: Unsplash

Rocky Mountain Power recommends small changes to cooling, laundry and appliance use

PARK CITY, Utah — As summer temperatures rise, air conditioning and other cooling systems can push household electricity bills higher. Rocky Mountain Power says several relatively simple changes can reduce energy use without leaving residents uncomfortably warm.

Cooling accounts for about 45% of a summer electricity bill in homes with central air conditioning, according to the utility. Rocky Mountain Power recommends setting thermostats at 78 degrees or higher when health and comfort allow. A programmable or smart thermostat can raise the temperature automatically when no one is home.

Residents should also clean or replace air conditioner filters monthly and have cooling systems serviced regularly. Dirty filters and poorly maintained equipment force air conditioners to work harder to keep a home cool.

Keeping blinds and curtains closed during the hottest part of the day can prevent sunlight from heating rooms, particularly through west- and south-facing windows. When outdoor temperatures fall in the evening or early morning, opening windows can bring cooler air inside.

Ceiling and portable fans can also help people feel cooler without lowering the thermostat. However, the utility recommends turning fans off when leaving a room because fans cool people, not empty spaces.

Rocky Mountain Power also suggests postponing heat-producing chores until the early morning or evening. Running clothes dryers, dishwashers and ovens during the hottest hours can add heat inside the home and make air conditioning systems work harder. Washing clothes in cold water, air-drying dishes and using a microwave, toaster oven or outdoor grill can further reduce energy use.

Electronics and small appliances may continue drawing electricity while plugged in, even when they are not being used. Unplugging unused devices or connecting them to a power strip provides a quick way to shut several items off at once.

Utah customers can also review their energy use through Rocky Mountain Power’s online Home Energy Reports and explore an optional time-of-use rate plan. Under that plan, customers may save by shifting electricity use away from weekday peak hours, though the potential savings depend on each household’s schedule and usage patterns.

The utility’s central message is that residents do not need to make one major change. Raising the thermostat a few degrees, blocking afternoon sun, and changing when appliances are used can add up over the course of the summer.