Summer in Texas doesn’t have to mean an astronomical electricity bill. A few small changes here and there can add up to meaningful savings across the summer months. In the list below, we’ve pulled together some of our favorite easy and affordable energy tips to help reduce your summer energy bills.

1. Adjust your thermostat settings.

Check your thermostat to see if the current setting accommodates the high summer temperatures. The greater the difference between your desired internal temperature and the outside temperature, the harder your air conditioner has to work, resulting in higher usage. According to the Department of Energy, you can reduce your energy consumption by keeping your thermostat between 78°F and 80°F in the summer and raising your thermostat further when you leave the house for more than a couple of hours.

2. Use your large appliances when it is dark outside.

Try to minimize using large appliances (oven, washer, dryer) that add heat and humidity indoors during daylight hours, when your air conditioner is already working it’s hardest to cool your home. You can reduce your cooling load if you run these appliances during non-daylight hours whenever possible (typically 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.).

3. Grill outside more frequently.

Does anyone in your home love to grill? An easy way to reduce usage is to take the kitchen outside. With your kitchen appliances off, your refrigerator and air conditioner don’t have to work as hard to cool your food and home.

4. Block the sun.

Sunlight shining in your home looks beautiful, but it can be costly. Close your blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day in order to help keep your house cool.

5. Change your pool temperature settings.

According to the Department of Energy, you should keep your pool at an energy efficient temperature of 78°F during the summer. The energy consumption for each degree rise in temperature will add an incremental 10%–30% in energy costs, depending on your location. Additionally, you should turn off the heater whenever the pool will not be used for several days.

6. Inspect and seal air leaks.

Keep hot air out and cool air in by inspecting your home for any air leaks. Sealing the fine leaks around your home can create meaningful savings as it can lower your home’s energy usage by up to 10%. Be sure to walk around your home to check for leaks at doors and windows as those can easily be remedied with a little caulk or new weather-stripping.

7. Switch the direction of your fan blades on your ceiling fan.

For the warmer months, your fan should run in the counterclockwise direction. This will push air down and create a windchill effect. When you use a ceiling fan with your air conditioner on, you can raise the thermostat setting by 4°F with no reduction in comfort.

8. Unplug unused electronics.

Even when the electronics plugged into your outlets are not in use, they are still using energy. According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to $100 a year by unplugging devices when you’re not using them. Here are a few common household electronics you can unplug in an effort to save more: phone chargers, computers, TVs, lamps, toasters and coffeemakers.

9. Ensure that your A/C is running at its best.

An A/C tune-up improves your system’s efficiency and can prevent air conditioning problems from occurring in the summer. Houston customers in CenterPoint Energy’s service territory may be eligible for a free tune-up. Check to see if you’re eligible here. In addition to an A/C tune-up, one important but frequently undervalued component of A/C maintenance is regularly changing your air filters. If you‘re a Champion customer, you have the option to sign up for filter delivery here.

10. Monitor your usage with your Smart Track™ report.

As the temperature climbs, so does the usage in our homes. As a Champion Energy customer, you can receive free weekly reports to help you monitor your usage patterns and identify hours where you may have the opportunity to lower your usage. Learn more here.

We hope these summer energy tips will help you save during the hottest months of the year.

If you have a favorite energy savings tip, we’d love to know. Send your tips to feedback@champion.energy.