Do this before the heat wave hits - and slash your cooling costs by $100 this summer

By Genna Contino

Plus, 10 low-cost and no-cost tips to stay cool and save money

Americans will pay around $800 on average to cool their homes this summer.

As millions of Americans brace for a dangerous heat wave this week, energy experts say they should prepare their wallets, too.

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 helps state governments secure federal energy funding for low-income households.

NEADA attributes the dramatic increase to both rising energy costs and hotter temperatures that require people to run their air conditioners longer and more frequently. The anticipated jump in cooling costs is exacerbating the financial pressure many are already feeling as inflation sits at a three-year high.

Extreme heat is expected in the U.S. from the Midwest to the East Coast this week.

NEADA Executive Director Mark Wolfe said families should be in prep mode as "rates are continuing to rise faster than inflation and temperatures are going up at the same time, requiring you to use more of an increasingly expensive product."

Hundreds of millions of Americans from the Midwest to the East Coast are expected to face temperatures ranging from the upper-90s to more than 100 degrees this week, according to AccuWeather. Extreme heat can create excess strain on your AC - but experts say there are proactive measures that you can take to cut costs without sacrificing comfort.

Schedule an AC tune-up before peak temperatures hit

A professional maintenance service can help extend the lifespan of your air conditioner and potentially lower your energy bill. Scheduling this service is especially important if your AC is old or unreliable, because the last thing you need is for it to give out during a heat wave.

A neglected AC system has to work harder during extreme heat, said Elizabeth Shavers, general HVAC and plumbing manager at Oncourse Home Solutions, an Illinois-based home-warranty and repair-service provider.

"Small issues like dirty filters, blocked vents or restricted airflow can become bigger problems when the system is running constantly," Shavers said. "Routine maintenance helps catch those issues before they turn into more expensive repairs."

Regular AC maintenance can run you between $65 and $200, depending on location and service requirements, according to the home improvement site This Old House.

In South Orlando, Fla., HVAC manager Michael Rogers said his company, Del-Air Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical, charges about $150 to $200 for the service. He estimates the tune-up can help a household save up to 15% on an electric bill, "especially if coils are dirty and airflow is restricted," Rogers said.

That can add up to more than $100 in savings, with average summer electricity costs projected at $792, but Wolfe said it is largely dependent on how degraded the AC is. He estimates potential savings to be around $25 to $75 over the course of the summer, "while reducing the chance of an expensive breakdown during a heat wave."

"The most important point is that it will help to extend the life of your air-conditioning system," Wolfe said.

10 tips that can help you save up to 20% on your electric bill this summer

If you're not looking to drop $100 right now, there are other low-cost and no-cost adjustments you can make to cut back on bills while keeping cool. Wolfe estimated combining all of the following 10 tips could help a household save up to 20% on their summer cooling bill.

1. Adjust your thermostat: Nudge your thermostat up by just 3 degrees. When you leave the house, dial it even higher and cool the home only when you return.

2. Or, use a smart thermostat: A programmable or smart thermostat automates the heavy lifting, raising temperatures when you're at work and dropping them right before you walk through the door.

3. Deploy fans: Ceiling fans create a wind-chill effect that makes a room feel several degrees cooler, allowing you to set the thermostat higher. Just turn them off when you leave; fans cool humans, not empty rooms.

4. Put your windows on lockdown: Close blinds, shades or curtains during peak daylight hours - especially on south- and west-facing walls - to block radiant heat from entering.

5. Swap out your air filter: A clogged filter chokes airflow, forcing your AC to guzzle more power to do the same job. Clean or replace your system's filter every one to three months to keep efficiency high.

6. Audit your vents and outdoor unit: Ensure furniture, rugs or curtains aren't blocking indoor supply or return vents. Outside, clear away debris from the condenser unit so it can breathe.

7. Seal up air leaks: Inexpensive weatherstripping and caulking around leaky doors and windows stop hot air from seeping in and forcing your AC to run longer.

8. Ban daytime heat indoors: Appliances are secret radiators. Avoid using the oven on scorching days and delay running the dishwasher, washer or dryer until the cooler evening hours.

9. Use exhaust fans wisely: Run your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans briefly after cooking or showering. Sucking out excess humidity makes the air feel crisper and cooler without toggling the thermostat.

10. Adjust your electronics and water heater: Turn off computers, TVs and lights when not in use to eliminate ambient heat. Additionally, drop your water heater's baseline temperature to 120 degrees to trim secondary energy bills.

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-Genna Contino

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07-01-26 1056ET