The summer heat is coming, which means I may cry when I look at my power bill. When it’s 110 degrees outside and my family wants it to be 74 inside, it’s not cheap. This leaves you with two options: listen to everyone complain or look for ways to save. Here are ways to save on cooling costs, part four of our series on how to cut your utility bills.
Other posts in this series:
How to Cut Your Utility Bills | Water, Trash, Electricity + General Advice
How to Cut Your Utility Bills | Internet, Phone, and Cable
How to Cut Your Utility Bills | Heating Costs
How to Cut Your Utility Bills | Part Four: Cooling Costs
Use Fans
This is one of the easiest and most obvious ways to save. Ceiling fans are an efficient way to help circulate air making your home feel cooler without running the air conditioner more. Want to save on ceiling fans? Check eBay, Craigslist, and thrift stores (like Restore). You can also get the contractor’s price if you buy 5 or more at some stores.
Bonus tip: Use the “on” fan setting on your air conditioner to circulate air continuously through your home. It will help to even out hot spots and allow you to run your thermostat at a higher temperature without feeling the heat.
Build an Attic Stairs Insulation Box
This is basically a box that sits at the top of your attic stairs to keep air from escaping. To build one, you’ll need foam board, foil tape, a straight edge, measuring tape, and a utility knife. The best thing about this box is that it is really light so you can easily move it out of the way when you need to access the attic. You can add weather stripping around the edge to increase the effectiveness even more. You can watch this YouTube video for full instructions.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
You can set the thermostat to increase and decrease the temperature based on when you are home. 78 degree is considered energy efficient. If that is too warm for comfort when you are home, you can set it to 78-80 degrees when you away. You can also usually raise the temperature a few degrees while you sleep. We have this one and it is only $23. It’s very easy to program and works well.
Many have a program for each day of the week so you can change settings for weekends and weekdays. If you are home all the time, at least have it set to turn the air up/down while you sleep.
Here is a list of the Kroger unadvertised deals I found at my store this week. Look for $14.99 Luvs boxed diapers, Cabot cheese for $2.50, and more.
Closeout deals will vary by store. Look through the full Kroger weekly ad to see all the current deals.
Closeout Deals
-
Sky Valley Sriracha Sauce, 18.5 oz, $3.74
-$1 off Sky Valley Sriracha sauce, 14 or 18.5 oz, limit 5, at Kroger, Publix, Walmart, Ibotta mobile app
(makes it $2.74) - TRESemme One Step Stylers, 40-50% off
-$1.50 off TRESemme products, select, limit 5, Ibotta mobile app - Band-Aid Ourtone Bandages, 30 ct., $2.14
-$1 off Band-Aid bandages or Neosporin, excl trial/travel size printable
-$7/3 Tylenol, Benedryl, Zyrtec, Bengay, Motrin, Aveeno, Desitin, Johnson’s, Lubriderm, Imodium, Neutrogena, Listerine, Maui Moisture, OGX, Neosporin, Band-Aid, Rogain or Zarbee’s Products, Kroger Pickup or Delivery ONLY (EXP 5/14) eCoupon
-$1 off Band-Aid Adhesive Bandages, First Aid Products or Neosporin, excl trial size, Kroger eCoupon
(use $1 off, makes it $1.14)
New Closeout Deals
- Mission Almond Flour Tortillas, 7 oz, $3.24
- Mission Everything Bagel Tortillas, 8.54 oz, $1.34
- La Banderita Ready to Cook Tortillas, 16 ct., $1.29
- La Banderita Carb Counter Tortillas, 8 ct., $2.39
- Mission Taco Flour Tortillas, 20 ct., $4.24
- Mission Plant Powered Tortillas, 6 ct., $3.24
- Ancient Harvest Traditional Quinoa, 14.4 oz, $3.24
-$1 off Ancient Harvest Polenta or Quinoa Product, Kroger eCoupon
(makes it $2.24) Read More→
Check your Ibotta app to see if you have this new freebie! Some of us have an offer for $3.49 back when you buy one Stur Liquid Water Enhancer at Target, making it completely FREE after cashback!
Don’t have Ibotta yet? Head here to sign up – it’s free! You’ll save on groceries without a printer or coupon clipping!
See more freebies!
This is an awesome FREE deal to keep your teens busy and moving this summer!!
From 5/13-7/31, all teens 14-19 years old can get a FREE summer membership pass to Planet Fitness!
Please note that teens under 18 must register with a parent or guardian online or in person.
Once you’ve signed up, download the Planet Fitness App to get your digital key tag. From here, the teens will be ready to check out your home club.
Registration starts 5/13.
See more Freebies!
There’s a pretty sweet jewelry sale happening at Rue La La. Discounted Pandora Jewelry is an extra 25% off! Shop for charms, bracelets, rings and more!
With Rue La La, you pay $9.99 shipping on your first order, then you get FREE SHIPPING on all orders placed for 30 days! There is also an option to pay $50 for an entire year of free shipping.
No code necessary. Prices are marked.
Deal Ideas:
Signature Silver CZ Logo Ring – $28 (reg. $95)
Moments Silver Pearl Bracelet – $37 (reg. $85)
ME 14K Rose Gold Plated CZ Angel Wings Medallion Charm – $26 (reg. $65)
This offer ends today, 5/10.
Read More→
Need to stock up on cereal? Pick up General Mills Cereal at the Kroger Mega Event, and you can add in an Ibotta rebate to grab a box for just $1.49!
This item is part of a mega event. The price listed is after a $1 instant savings when you purchase 5+ items. You can mix and match items and are welcome to buy more than 5.
Kroger General Mills Cereal Mega Deal (ends 5/21):
- General Mills Cereal, 8.9-12 oz, $1.99
-$1/2 General Mills cereal, any 8.9-50.5 oz boxes excl Loaded cereal items, limit 1, Ibotta mobile app
(makes it $1.49 ea.)
Check out the full Kroger ad for more great deal ideas.
Right now, head to Amazon and score 50% off this wifi enabled keyless smart deadbolt with both combination lock and fingerprint access.
This keyless deadbolt lock is highly-rated and you can do the install yourself. Plus, you’ll be in your house in less than a second. No more fumbling with keys.
Plus, you can keep up to 100 combinations and 50 fingerprints to manage who is in your house and when they can be there.
Keyless Entry Door Lock Deal:
Smart Door Lock WiFi Deadbolt $99.98
– Clip 50% off coupon on item page
Makes it $49.99 shipped
This deal is good for a limited time. Shipping is FREE!
Read More→
Shop at DSW this week and get 25% off Nike styles. Plus, get a FREE Backpack Cooler when you spend $49+.
To get your free cooler, enter code CHILLMORE once you have at least $49 of merchandise in your cart. Good thru 5/11 or while supplies last.
Deal Ideas:
Prices are as marked. No code necessary.
Nike Air Max Excee Sneaker – Men’s – $71.99 (reg. $95)
Nike Court Borough Mid 2 Sneaker – Kids’ – $57.99 (reg. $77)
Nike In-Season TR 13 Training Shoe – Women’s – $63.99 (reg. $85)
Shipping is free for DSW VIP members (free to join).
Read More→
Right now, Amazon is offering some great deals on the popular Green Toys! We love our Green Toys. They promote imaginative play and are good quality.
Plus, they are made from 100% recycled plastic and they can be thrown in the dishwasher!
Deal Ideas:
Green Toys Car Carrier, Blue $11.99 (reg. $24.99)
Green Toys Submarine $7.56 (reg. $14.99)
