The days are getting longer, the temperature is rising and those electric bills are starting to increase. The first official day of Summer isn’t until June, but for me, Summer truly begins when I open my first exorbitant electric bill. You know the one I’m talking about, when suddenly the number on the bill triples! It’s not just me; the average household keeps their thermostat set to a breezy 72 degrees.  At 72 degrees, an air conditioning unit that runs for 10 hours a day can expect to run up a daily tab over $6. That adds up to over $550 dollars over the course of the season. Pretty outrageous, right?

Well, in the spirit of Summer, here are a few tips on keeping your house cooler and your pockets fuller! (And, naturally, you’ll be doing our planet a favor too!)

Clean Your Air Conditioners!

Dirty A/C filters restrict airflow and can cause inefficiencies in the system causing them to run longer in order to get down to the desired temperature. So inefficient! To keep your systems running smoothly and efficiently, replace (or clean) your filters monthly (potentially saving you up to 2% on your bill!).

Your Dishwasher Actually Can Be the Most Efficient Option!

Your dishwasher uses less water than hand washing your dishes would use but be smart about running it! Running your dishwasher may add unwanted heat to your home. It’s best to run heat based appliances like dishwashers and dryers at night when the air is naturally cooler!

(BONUS: Let your dishes air-dry instead of drying them in the dishwasher. This will save even more energy and, in turn, more moolah!)

Ceiling Fans, Ceiling Fans, Ceiling Fans!

A ceiling fan will allow you to raise the setting of your thermostat by about 4 degrees with no reduction in comfort. (FYI: The monthly cost of running your average ceiling fan? It’s a little over $1. Compare that to the aforementioned air conditioning unit that can cost over $6 per day to run! Ack!) But don’t forget to turn the fan off when you leave the room; fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.

So, don’t sweat it, my friends. Keeping cool doesn’t have to be hard on your wallet or on the environment! Summer is just around the corner and with these (super easy!) tips, we can all do our part: keep our homes nice and comfy and the planet green!