6 ways to lower your air conditioner bill and stay cool this summer

By Phong Ngo June 17, 2025 | 02:48 pm PT

As summer heat drives up energy bills, setting your AC to 24 degrees Celsius, closing the blinds, and using ceiling fans are among six simple ways to stay cool while saving energy.

Set your AC to 24 degrees Celsius

The U.S.’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency recommends setting your air conditioner at 24 degrees Celsius for optimal performance and savings.

At this level, the AC’s compressor can shut off once the desired temperature is reached, reducing overall electricity use.

Setting your air conditioner at 24 degrees Celsius for optimal performance and savings. Photo by VnExpress/Linh An

Close the blinds

Sunlight streaming through windows can raise indoor temperatures and make your AC work harder, according to tech site CNET.

Keep blinds or curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day to block out heat and improve insulation. Thermal or blackout curtains can further prevent cool air from escaping, helping maintain a lower room temperature with less energy use.

Use a ceiling fan to support cooling

Running a ceiling fan at low or moderate speed helps circulate cool air more efficiently.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this can make the room feel cooler and allow you to raise the thermostat by up to 4 degrees Celsius without discomfort.

Smart ceiling fans can also be programmed via app to adjust automatically based on your schedule.

Service your AC regularly

Dust and debris buildup can reduce your air conditioner's efficiency.

Routine maintenance, including filter cleaning and servicing, ensures the unit runs at peak performance and uses less energy.

Install a smart switch or humidity sensor

Smart switches let you schedule your AC to turn on and off at set intervals, helping to avoid unnecessary operation, according to business news site Moneycontrol.

Humidity sensors can further automate the system by activating cooling only when needed, cutting down overall consumption.

Raise the thermostat when possible

The U.S.’s Nebraska Energy Office advises that increasing your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (5.5 to 8.3 degrees Celsius) for eight hours a day can reduce cooling costs by up to 10% annually.

Even a small increase can lower your energy bill by as much as 3% each year.

Program the thermostat to hold higher temperatures when you are away and cool down shortly before you return.