Let’s start with a short, simple story. Last summer, I visited a long-time customer in Brainerd. Her name’s Mary, and she’s 74. When I stepped inside, she greeted me with a smile and a fan blasting at full speed. “The AC’s working,” she said, “but my electric bill nearly gave me a heart attack!”
Do you also find yourself time and again in the shoes of Mary? Just like her, many Minnesota homeowners dread those steep summer utility bills when the AC runs all day. But the good news? You don’t have to suffer through the heat or go broke trying to stay cool. With the right steps, you can keep your home comfortable and your cooling bills under control.
Let’s walk through some simple, practical tips to help you survive the summer heat—without burning a hole in your wallet.
- Start With Smart Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat is your first line of defense. Set it wisely:
- Set it at 78°F when you’re home and awake.
- Raise the temperature by 7–10°F when you’re away.
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat to automate these changes.
Don’t set your AC to a colder temperature thinking it will cool faster. It won’t—it just overworks the system and wastes energy.
- Keep Your AC Unit Happy – Here’s how:
A well-maintained AC runs better and costs less to operate:
- Change filters every 1–3 months.
- Check them monthly, especially if you have pets.
- Clear the outdoor unit of leaves, grass, and debris.
- Maintain at least 2 feet of clearance around your unit.
- Rinse condenser coils with a garden hose.
What a professional should do:
- Annual inspection
- Check coolant levels
- Calibrate thermostat
- Clean internal components
- Look for hidden issues
Book your annual AC tune-up early. Contractors fill up fast once summer hits full swing.
- Using Windows at Home to Your Advantage
Sunlight can turn your home into an oven:
- Close blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day.
- Use reflective window films or blackout curtains on sun-facing windows.
- Open windows at night if it’s cooler outside, then close them in the morning to trap cool air.
- Seal the Leaks, Save the Cool
Seal windows and doors with weatherstripping or caulk to prevent cool air from escaping.
- Check your ductwork—leaky ducts can lose up to 30% of your cooled air.
- Insulate ducts that go through your attic or crawl spaces.
- Use Fans the Right Way
Fans don’t cool rooms. They cool people:
- Use ceiling fans to circulate air and create a wind chill effect.
- Turn them off when you leave the room.
- Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to remove excess heat and humidity.
- Cut Down on Heat Inside the Home
Avoid adding heat during the hottest parts of the day:
- Don’t use ovens and stoves. Grill outside or use a microwave.
- Switch to LED lighting—they run cooler than incandescents.
- Consider Upgrades for Long-Term Savings
Sometimes an upgrade is the smarter investment:
- Install a high-efficiency AC unit.
- Check for utility rebates—Minnesota utilities often offer incentives for energy-efficient upgrades.
- Invest in attic insulation to keep your home significantly cooler.
- Try Strategic Landscaping
- Plant trees or tall shrubs on the south and west sides of your home to block direct sunlight.
- Use ground cover or mulch to reduce heat reflection from concrete or soil.
This natural shade can drop surrounding temperatures by several degrees.
In a Nutshell: Beating the Heat Without Breaking the Bank
Keeping your home cool in a Minnesota summer doesn’t mean running your AC 24/7 or sweating through sleepless nights. With smart thermostat use, good maintenance, energy-saving habits, and strategic upgrades, you can stay comfortable and keep your cooling bills manageable.
Like I told Mary after checking her system and giving her a few tips, “You don’t need to turn off the AC—you just need to outsmart the heat.”
FAQs
- How often should I change my AC filter in summer? Check it monthly and change it every 1–3 months, depending on usage and if you have pets or allergies.
- Is it cheaper to leave the AC on all day or turn it off when I leave? It’s more efficient to raise the temperature (not turn it off entirely) when you’re away.
- Does ceiling fan direction really matter? Yes. In summer, set your fan to spin counter-clockwise to push cool air downward and help you feel cooler.
