The Easiest Way to Save on Energy This Summer Isn’t Lowering Your Thermostat

Find the most savings in small strategic changes

Texans may not love to hear it, but the key to saving on summer energy costs isn’t the perfect AC setting — it’s preventing your home from trapping hot air in the first place. In a world where energy prices and summer temperatures keep rising, you need a strategic plan to beat the heat rather than simply blasting your AC all day.

That being said, Texas summers are scorching, and AC is non-negotiable. Luckily, there are ways to optimize your home’s airflow and temperature so you aren’t drowning in heat and high power bills. Some simple yet strategic household changes could be a game-changer this summer in Texas.

The battle starts before your home even feels hot

If you wait until you’re already uncomfortable to tackle the heat, you’ve lost. Texas summers are brutally hot and humid, so you need to get ahead of the heat to make an impact. Otherwise, you’re wasting money trying to get your AC unit to catch up. Instead, take preventative steps before your home gets warm to maintain a comfortable temperature, even during peak heat.

• Close your curtains in the morning before the sun starts heating your space.
• Get your fans and AC working in the rooms you plan to use throughout the day before they get warm.

Comfort has more to do with airflow than temperature

Most people think they need to crank up the AC to beat the summer heat, but comfort actually has more to do with airflow. Think about times you’ve been in a 75-degree house with still air, versus a 75-degree house with strong airflow. The latter probably felt more comfortable and refreshing. Moving air helps heat escape from your skin more quickly, reducing sweat and making you feel cooler. Still air, on the other hand, allows warm air to build and create a bubble around your skin. Rather than turning up the AC, think about how you can increase airflow in your home.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Run ceiling fans counterclockwise to suck up the hot air and push down cool air. Doing so will create a cooling breeze, making your room feel more comfortable.
• Close your curtains or blinds before the sun hits your windows, adding another heat source.
• Cool down rooms you actually spend your day in, and forget about the rooms you don’t need. This will help reduce your energy costs and the workload on your AC.

Small heat sources have a bigger impact than you think

During a hot afternoon, even small heat sources can compound quickly, making your home even hotter and harder to cool. Schedule high-energy tasks like laundry or dishes for off-peak hours when the sun is down. Early in the morning or late at night are great times to handle these chores without adding more heat to your home.

Dinner time is not your friend

The dinner hour is ruining your cooling strategy. An hour-long casserole in the oven or a stir-fry on the stove adds heat to your home, making your AC work harder. The summer is a great time to rethink how you cook dinner.

• Make dinner outside, if possible. Grilling your dinner keeps the heat source outside, away from your cool interior.
• Opt for meals that require less or no heat. Try salads with grilled vegetables or meat, sandwiches, or something you can prepare in the morning. Avoid the oven and stove as much as possible.

Bottom line: The right plan can help you save energy in the Texas heat

By mid-afternoon on a hot summer day, households are fighting a battle they lost hours ago — and the answer is not to overwork your AC. To save energy while still feeling comfortable, you need to manage how your home handles heat. Your best bet is to promote airflow, limit heat sources, and deliberately plan your high-energy tasks.

Find your next energy plan with Choose Texas Power

While it can be challenging to find a cheap energy plan in the summer, as high temperatures drive high demand, you may still be able to save by switching to a plan that better suits your usage. Call the Choose Texas Power energy experts, who can help you determine which plan is best for your home and usage patterns.

You can also use our AI shopping tool, which asks you a few questions about your home and energy needs, then uses your answers to provide a curated list of compatible energy plans.