How to Lower Your Electric Bill This Summer in Louisville, KY

Summer in Louisville usually means higher electricity use. Air conditioning runs longer, pool equipment gets more use, outdoor lighting stays active later into the evening and families often spend more time using appliances and electronics at home.

While some of that increased usage is unavoidable, there are practical ways to reduce unnecessary electricity consumption without sacrificing comfort.

If you’re wondering how to lower your electric bill this summer, start by looking at the electrical systems and devices that run the most often.

Why Does Your Electric Bill Go Up in the Summer?

For many Louisville homeowners, air conditioning is one of the largest contributors to summer electricity use.

But it is not the only one.

Your summer energy usage may also increase because of:

• Pool pumps and other outdoor equipment
• Ceiling fans
• Outdoor lighting
• Dehumidifiers
• Additional appliances and electronics
• Longer periods spent at home
• Electric vehicle charging
• Hot tubs or other seasonal equipment

The amount you pay also depends on your utility rate and how much electricity your home actually uses.

One of the best places to start is by comparing your current electricity usage with previous months rather than looking only at the dollar amount on the bill.

1. Use Ceiling Fans Strategically

Ceiling fans can help make a room feel more comfortable by moving air across the people in it.

That can allow you to remain comfortable at a slightly warmer thermostat setting instead of relying entirely on air conditioning.

The key is to use fans where people are actually present.

Ceiling fans cool people, not empty rooms, so leaving them running in an unoccupied space generally wastes electricity.

If your home has rooms that would benefit from better air circulation, professional ceiling fan installation can add comfort without relying solely on the HVAC system.

2. Upgrade Remaining Incandescent Lighting to LED

Lighting may not be the largest electrical load in your home, but inefficient bulbs can still add unnecessary electricity use and heat.

LED bulbs use significantly less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last much longer.

That makes LEDs especially useful in fixtures that are used for several hours each day, such as:

• Kitchen lighting
• Family rooms
• Basement lighting
• Hallways
• Outdoor fixtures
• Garage lighting

If you’re planning a larger lighting update, home lighting installation can also include dimmers, new fixtures and smart lighting controls that give you better control over when lights are operating.

3. Use Smart Controls and Schedules

One of the easiest ways to waste electricity is to leave devices running when nobody needs them.

Smart controls can help reduce unnecessary usage by automatically turning equipment on and off based on schedules, occupancy or other conditions.

Depending on the system, that can include:

• Smart thermostats
• Smart lighting
• Timers
• Motion sensors
• Smart plugs
• Automated shades
• Outdoor lighting controls

A smart thermostat, for example, can adjust temperature settings based on your schedule instead of cooling an empty house the same way it cools an occupied one.

Smart lighting can automatically turn fixtures off when they’re not needed.

Professionally installed home automation systems can bring several of these controls together so homeowners can manage them from one system or app.

4. Don’t Leave Outdoor Lighting On When You Don’t Need It

Outdoor lighting is important for visibility, security and curb appeal, but it does not necessarily need to operate from dusk until dawn.

Depending on the purpose of the fixture, you may be able to reduce unnecessary runtime with:

• Motion sensors
• Timers
• Photocells
• Smart lighting schedules

For example, decorative landscape lighting may only need to operate during the evening, while a security light might be better suited to motion activation.

Choosing the right type of control lets you keep useful lighting without leaving every exterior fixture on all night.

5. Look at How Long Your Pool Equipment Runs

Swimming pools can add a noticeable amount of electricity use during the summer.

Pool pumps do not necessarily need to run at maximum output all day to keep a pool properly maintained. Actual operating needs depend on the equipment, pool size and other factors.

A timer or automated control can help keep equipment from running longer than necessary.

Variable-speed pool pumps can also improve efficiency because the pump can operate at different speeds depending on what the system needs rather than running at full speed for every task.

If you’re installing or upgrading pool equipment, an electrician can make sure the electrical circuits, controls and other components are appropriate for the equipment being installed.

6. Know Whether Your Electricity Rate Changes by Time of Day

Some homeowners assume electricity automatically costs less at night.

That is not always true.

LG&E offers optional residential Time-of-Day rate plans where electricity costs vary depending on when it is used. However, homeowners on a standard residential rate should not assume that simply moving electrical use to nighttime hours will automatically reduce the cost of each kilowatt-hour.

If you’re enrolled in a time-based rate plan, shifting certain flexible loads to lower-cost periods may help.

Examples could include:

• EV charging
• Pool equipment
• Certain appliances
• Other programmable electrical loads

Check your specific utility rate before changing your routine solely for the purpose of using electricity during “off-peak” hours.

7. Pay Attention to Your Electricity Usage, Not Just the Bill Total

A higher bill does not always mean your home suddenly became less efficient.

Utility rates, weather and billing periods can all affect the final amount.

Look at the kilowatt-hours, or kWh, shown on your bill and compare that number with previous months or the same period last year.

If your electricity usage has increased significantly, think about what changed.

Did you:

• Begin running the air conditioner more often?
• Install a pool or hot tub?
• Add an EV charger?
• Have more people at home?
• Start using new appliances?
• Change your thermostat settings?

Understanding what is driving the increase makes it easier to decide where energy-saving changes will have the biggest effect.

8. Turn Off or Unplug Equipment You Aren’t Using

Many electronic devices continue using a small amount of electricity even when they appear to be turned off.

For individual devices, the savings may be small. But if your home has numerous electronics, chargers and accessories plugged in continuously, the usage can add up over time.

Smart plugs or switched power strips can make it easier to completely shut down groups of devices that do not need continuous power.

However, do not unplug equipment that needs to remain powered for safety, security, networking or proper operation.

9. Make Sure Your Electrical System Is Ready for New Summer Loads

Lowering your energy bill is different from making sure your electrical system can safely support everything you use.

If you’re adding a hot tub, pool equipment, EV charger, outdoor kitchen or other major electrical load this summer, have the electrical requirements evaluated before installation.

New equipment may require:

• A dedicated circuit
• New wiring
• Additional panel space
• A load calculation
• Other electrical upgrades

If you’re experiencing repeated breaker trips, dimming lights or other electrical problems when several large devices are operating, Laswell’s electrical repair services can help determine whether there is an electrical issue that needs attention.

Can an Electrician Help Lower Your Electric Bill?

An electrician cannot control your utility rates or guarantee a specific amount of energy savings.

However, electrical improvements can help eliminate unnecessary energy use and make it easier to control how and when electricity is used.

Depending on your home, an electrician may be able to help with:

• LED lighting upgrades
• Smart lighting controls
• Ceiling fans
• Timers and photocells
• Motion-activated lighting
• Pool electrical controls
• Smart-home equipment
• New circuits and electrical upgrades

The right improvements depend on how your home uses electricity and which systems are contributing most to your energy consumption.

When Is a Higher Summer Electric Bill a Sign of an Electrical Problem?

A higher electric bill by itself does not necessarily mean something is wrong with your electrical system.

Hotter weather and increased air-conditioning use can cause significant seasonal changes.

However, you should contact an electrician if increased usage occurs alongside electrical warning signs such as:

• Repeated breaker trips
• Flickering or dimming lights
• Warm electrical components
• Buzzing or crackling sounds
• Burning odors
• Outlets that stop working

Those symptoms should be evaluated separately from concerns about energy efficiency.

Lower Your Summer Electricity Use With Smarter Electrical Solutions

There is no single upgrade that will dramatically reduce every Louisville home’s summer electric bill.

The best approach is to understand where your electricity is being used and reduce unnecessary consumption wherever practical.

Using ceiling fans wisely, switching remaining incandescent lighting to LEDs, controlling outdoor lighting, managing pool equipment and adding smart controls can all help make your home’s electrical usage more intentional.

Laswell has served Louisville and Kentuckiana since 1995, helping homeowners with lighting, electrical controls, ceiling fans, smart-home technology and other residential electrical services.