Money Matters: My neighbor swears his AC bill is so high this summer he’s considering listing his house on Airbnb—just so someone else pays the electric bill.

And honestly… I get it.

Between heat waves, wild utility costs, and the kids insisting the house stay cool enough for penguins, summer can torch your budget faster than a solar flare.

But you don’t have to sweat (literally) every time you open your energy bill.

This week, we’re dropping hacks to keep your house cool and your wallet cooler—plus a few winter tricks because, yep, winter is coming.

Survey says:

• The average U.S. household spends $1,900 a year on energy bills—and nearly half of that goes to heating and cooling. [DOE]

• About 58% of Americans can’t cover a $1,000 emergency repair—like a broken AC. [Bankrate]

• Smart thermostat owners save an average of 8-10% a year on heating and cooling costs. [DOE]

Here is what on that portioned plate today:

💡 Our Favorite Resources
☀️ 6 Summer Energy Hacks to Beat the Heat
❄️ Winter Is Coming: Cold-Weather Cost Cutters
👉 What’s up for next week

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Cool Links

Our favorite resources

Cool Links

• DOE Energy Saver – Summer Tips

• DOE Energy Saver – Winter Tips

• Energy Use Calculator

• Smart Thermostat Apps (Nest, Honeywell)

👀ICYMI

Looking to slash other pesky bills? Check out our earlier issue on killing that expensive phone plan: moneyhoot.com – you might be burning $1,200/year on your cell service (yikes)!

📜Quote

Today’s Main Event

6 Summer Energy Hacks to Beat the Heat

Summer’s blazing, but your energy bills don’t have to go up in flames. Here are six high-impact hacks for homeowners and renters to keep cool without emptying your wallet.

Bonus: they’re practical, easy, and come with a side of humor – because saving money should be fun, even when you’re sweating! Let’s jump in:

1. Master the Thermostat (Be Chill, Save Bills)

Your thermostat is small but mighty.

Setting it at 78°F when you’re home is the sweet spot between comfort and savings. And here’s the magic trick: for every degree you raise it, you save around 3% on cooling costs.

“But I’ll melt!”—someone cries.

Enter ceiling fans, which make rooms feel about 4°F cooler thanks to the wind-chill effect.

Pro tip: if you’re leaving home or going to bed, bump the temp up 7-10°F. A programmable thermostat can handle this automatically—and might save you 10% a year on your energy bill. [DOE]

If you’re fancy, grab a smart thermostat. They learn your schedule, adjust temps on their own, and sometimes even tell you how many dollars you saved. That’s more helpful than half the people on your Facebook feed.

2. Fan-tastic Cooling (Windchill Wizardry)

Fans cost pennies per hour to run, while central AC can suck up dollars fast.

Use ceiling fans set counterclockwise in summer for a breeze. Standing fans or box fans can also help, especially if placed near windows to pull in cooler evening air.

And yes—the DIY ice fan trick works (a bowl of ice in front of a fan). It won’t cool the entire house, but if you’re working from home in one spot, it’s basically a mini Arctic blast for your face.

3. Block the Sun (Vampire Mode Activated 🧛‍♂️)

During heat waves, sunlight is your frenemy.

Close curtains and blinds during peak hours, especially on windows facing east and west.

If you own your home, install thermal curtains or outdoor awnings. Renters? Try suction-cup reflective panels, blackout curtains, or even those foil emergency blankets taped to your windows.

It’s not exactly HGTV chic, but it’ll cut your indoor temps by up to 15°F.

4. Mind Your Appliances (Don’t Bake Your House)

Your oven is basically a space heater.

Instead, grill outside, use the microwave, or go no-cook with salads and sandwiches.

Run dishwashers and dryers after dark, when power rates might be lower and the outside temps won’t make your AC cry.

Bonus: swap out old light bulbs for LEDs. 90% of incandescent energy turns into heat—so why add more heat when it’s already blazing outside? [DOE]

5. Maintenance Magic (Tune Up & Seal Up)

A clogged AC filter makes your system work harder—and your bill go up.

Replace filters every month in heavy-use seasons. It’s a $5 fix that can save you serious cash and prolong your AC’s life.

Check for drafts and leaks around doors and windows. Even a tiny gap can let hot air in (or cold air out in winter). Weatherstripping and caulk cost pennies compared to an overworked AC.

Proper sealing can save you up to $190 a year. [DOE]

6. Beat the Peak (Timing Is Everything)

Utilities often charge higher rates during peak afternoon hours.

If your power company offers time-of-use plans, pre-cool your home earlier in the day, then let temps rise slightly during peak times.

Run appliances like laundry machines, dishwashers, and electric ovens late at night or early morning.

Check if your utility offers rebates for energy-efficient upgrades. They might literally pay you to save energy. Free money is our favorite money.

❄️ Winter’s Coming: Quick Cost-Cutters

Fast-forward to winter. Energy savings still matter!

• Thermostat Jedi Tricks: Keep it around 68°F when home, lower when away. Layer up with hoodies instead of cranking the heat.

• Let the Sun Shine: Open south-facing blinds during sunny days. Close curtains tight at night to trap heat.

• Seal Drafts: Caulk, weatherstrip, or slap rolled towels under doors. Drafts steal heat—and dollars.

• Humidify: Moist air feels warmer, so you might be comfy at 67°F instead of 72°F. Plus, your skin will thank you.

• Reverse Ceiling Fans: Flip the switch to clockwise to push warm air down.

Until Next Time

What’s Up Next Week

Keep cool (or warm) and carry on!

Next week, Jim’s diving intoreal world side hustles for stay at home moms!

Until then, stay chill, stay savvy… and remember:

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Peace out,

Nico and the Hootsquad🦉

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.