$792 Average Cooling Bill This Summer: NEADA Projects $792 Average Summer Electricity Costs for US Households, a 10.5% Jump, as Smart Thermostats Could Save $100 Annually
MarketWatch reports that American households are expected to pay $792 on average for electricity costs this summer, a 10.5% increase from last year, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, which attributes the spike to both rising energy costs and hotter temperatures forcing air conditioners to run longer and more frequently.
A One-Degree Thermostat Increase Saves Roughly 1% on Cooling Costs, With ENERGY STAR Smart Thermostats Saving High-Use Families $100 a Year
Experts note that lowering a thermostat well below a comfortable setting does not cool a room faster; it simply forces the system to run longer and waste energy. For every one-degree increase in thermostat setting, homeowners save approximately 1% on their cooling bill, meaning a jump from 70°F to 80°F could save roughly 10% on the next energy bill. ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostats can save families with high energy use $100 per year, while sealing air leaks and adding attic insulation can save up to $190 annually.
Dirty Air Filters and Uncleaned Condenser Coils Force AC Units to Work Harder, While Closed Blinds Block Up to 76% of Window Heat Gain
The Department of Energy recommends replacing or cleaning air conditioner filters regularly, since dirty filters reduce airflow and system efficiency, and advises closing blinds and installing window coverings, since roughly 76% of sunlight hitting standard double-pane windows enters the home as heat during cooling season.
Inflation is already squeezing budgets. A $792 average summer bill makes the case for these small changes obvious. Check out our previous coverage of personal finance and energy news here.
