How to Reduce Summer Energy Bills with Your AC

When summer hits in Northeast Ohio, air conditioning quickly becomes a necessity—not a luxury. But with rising temperatures comes another challenge: skyrocketing energy bills. Fortunately, there are smart ways to stay cool without breaking the bank.

At Lakeshore Heating & Cooling, we help homeowners in Eastlake, Mentor, and Willoughby get the most from their AC systems through proper maintenance, upgrades, and practical efficiency tips. In this post, we’ll cover actionable strategies to lower your cooling costs while keeping your home consistently comfortable.

Why Summer Energy Bills Spike

If you’ve ever opened a July or August electric bill and felt a wave of sticker shock, you’re not alone. In Ohio, summer utility costs tend to rise sharply—and air conditioning is usually the biggest culprit. In fact, cooling your home can account for up to 50% of your total energy usage during the summer months.

When temperatures climb into the high 80s and 90s with high humidity, your AC system may run for hours at a time just to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. But not all of that energy is being used efficiently. If your system is outdated, poorly maintained, or operating under stress, it could be consuming far more electricity than necessary.

What Causes the Spike in Cooling Costs?

Several factors can contribute to higher-than-expected summer energy bills:

• • Dirty or clogged air filters restrict airflow and force your AC to work harder to cool your home, using more energy in the process.
  • Leaky ductwork or insufficient insulation allows cool air to escape before it reaches the rooms that need it. This loss forces the system to run longer to compensate.
  • Thermostats set too low for extended periods—especially when no one is home—can lead to continuous cycling and wasted energy.
  • Aging or inefficient HVAC equipment often lacks the modern technology needed to run efficiently and may no longer meet current SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) standards.
  • No zoning or programmable control, which means your system cools the entire house—even unoccupied rooms—rather than delivering conditioned air where and when it’s actually needed.

Even something as simple as direct sunlight heating a room through uncovered windows can contribute to more frequent AC cycling and higher energy bills.

The good news? These problems are often correctable, especially when addressed by a professional HVAC technician. At Lakeshore Heating & Cooling, we help homeowners in Eastlake, Willoughby, Painesville, and surrounding areas identify energy-wasting issues, make smart upgrades, and restore system performance—often resulting in immediate utility savings and improved comfort.

Whether it’s installing a programmable thermostat, replacing a dirty filter, sealing ductwork, or upgrading to a high-efficiency AC unit, our team can help reduce your energy costs without sacrificing the cooling power your home needs.

6 Smart Ways to Save on Cooling Costs This Summer

If your energy bills seem to spike every summer, you’re not alone. With long, humid days in Eastlake, Mentor, and surrounding areas, your air conditioner is likely running more often—and using more electricity to keep your home comfortable. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with high utility costs.

There are several practical ways to reduce energy use without sacrificing comfort. From small upgrades to system-wide improvements, these strategies can help your air conditioner run more efficiently while lowering your monthly bills.

1. Book a Seasonal AC Tune-Up

Routine maintenance is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy use during peak cooling months. Over time, dirt buildup, worn parts, and minor system imbalances can cause your air conditioner to work harder than necessary. That added strain drives up your energy consumption—and your costs.

A professional tune-up includes:

• • • Cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils
    • Checking refrigerant pressure and adjusting if needed
    • Testing thermostat calibration
    • Inspecting all major electrical components
    • Ensuring proper airflow across your system

When performed in the spring or early summer, an AC tune-up helps your system run at peak efficiency when you need it most.

2. Upgrade to a Smart or Programmable Thermostat

Even a well-maintained system wastes energy when the thermostat isn’t used properly. Manually adjusting the temperature every day might seem harmless, but forgetting to raise or lower the setting when you leave home can add unnecessary runtime—and cost.

Smart thermostats allow you to:

• • • Set automatic cooling schedules based on your lifestyle
    • Control your system remotely via smartphone
    • Receive real-time usage reports and efficiency tips
    • Integrate with other smart home devices

At Lakeshore Heating & Cooling, we install smart and programmable thermostats that sync seamlessly with your HVAC system to optimize comfort and energy savings.

3. Change Your Air Filters Regularly

Your air filter plays a bigger role in efficiency than most homeowners realize. A dirty or clogged filter restricts airflow, forcing your system to run longer and work harder to cool your home. That extra strain can increase both energy use and wear on your equipment.

General replacement guidelines:

• • • Every 30–60 days during heavy use
    • More frequently if you have pets or allergies
    • At least quarterly for specialty or high-MERV filters

If you’re unsure about your filter size or type, we can assist during your next HVAC maintenance visit or help you explore air quality improvement options.

4. Seal Air Leaks and Improve Duct Efficiency

Even if your air conditioner is operating perfectly, you could still be losing money through leaky ductwork. Cracks, loose fittings, or poorly insulated ducts allow cooled air to escape before it reaches your living space—forcing your system to run longer to meet demand.

Energy-saving improvements include:

• • • Sealing visible duct leaks with professional-grade materials
    • Insulating ducts in attics, crawlspaces, or unfinished basements
    • Checking for disconnected or crushed duct runs

Our team offers duct inspection and repair services to help homeowners in Painesville, Willowick, and nearby areas prevent avoidable energy waste.

5. Reduce Heat Gain with Blinds and Fans

Your air conditioner doesn’t have to do all the work alone. During peak sunlight hours, especially in rooms facing west or south, indoor temperatures can climb rapidly if windows are left uncovered. Taking simple steps to reduce heat gain can ease the burden on your AC.

Try these tips:

• • • Close blinds or curtains during the hottest parts of the day
    • Use ceiling fans to promote airflow and create a wind-chill effect
    • Run fans counterclockwise in summer to push cool air downward

This strategy helps you stay comfortable even if you raise the thermostat a few degrees—which translates into energy savings over time.

6. Consider Replacing an Aging System

If your air conditioner is 10 to 15 years old, even regular maintenance may not be enough to offset declining efficiency. Older systems tend to run longer, use more energy, and may not meet today’s performance or environmental standards.

Upgrading to a high-efficiency AC unit offers:

• • • Improved SEER ratings and lower energy consumption
    • Modern features like variable-speed compressors
    • Enhanced humidity control and more even cooling
    • A quieter, more reliable system with fewer repairs

At Lakeshore Heating & Cooling, we offer expert air conditioning replacement and installation services throughout Lake County. We’ll help you select the right size and model for your home—and your budget.

Proudly Serving Eastlake and Surrounding Communities

Lakeshore Heating & Cooling provides reliable HVAC services to homeowners throughout Lake County and Northeast Ohio, including:

• • Eastlake
  • Mentor
  • Willoughby
  • Painesville
  • Wickliffe
  • Willowick
  • Kirtland
  • Concord Township
  • Fairport Harbor
  • Madison
  • Perry
  • Other surrounding towns in Lake and Cuyahoga Counties

Whether you’re looking to reduce summer cooling costs or upgrade to a smarter, more efficient AC system, we’re here to help.

Save Energy This Summer—Without Sacrificing Comfort

Take control of your summer energy bills with help from the experts at Lakeshore Heating & Cooling. Whether you need a quick filter replacement, thermostat upgrade, or a full system evaluation, our licensed technicians are ready to help.

We serve Eastlake, Mentor, Willoughby, and the surrounding communities with dependable HVAC service, honest advice, and real results.