Alberta summers are short but intense. With temperatures regularly hitting 28–32°C in Calgary, Edmonton, and southern Alberta, air conditioning and cooling costs can spike your electricity bill by 30–50% compared to spring months. The good news? A few smart changes can keep your home comfortable and your energy bills under control.
Whether you’re on a fixed or variable electricity rate, using less energy during peak summer months means real savings. Here’s how Alberta homeowners can cut summer energy costs without sacrificing comfort.
1. Set Your Thermostat Strategically
Your thermostat is the single biggest lever for summer energy savings. According to Natural Resources Canada, every degree you raise your cooling set point above 22°C saves roughly 3–5% on cooling costs.
Recommended Summer Thermostat Settings
- When you’re home: 24–25°C — comfortable for most people and significantly cheaper than 21–22°C
- When you’re away: 27–28°C — no need to cool an empty house
- While sleeping: 23–24°C — slightly cooler for better sleep, but not arctic
If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, set schedules that match your routine. A family that’s out from 8 AM to 5 PM could save $15–25/month just by raising the set point during work hours.
Pro tip: Don’t turn your AC off completely when you leave. It takes more energy to cool a hot house from 35°C down to 23°C than to maintain 27°C all day.
2. Use Fans to Feel Cooler Without Lowering the Thermostat
Ceiling fans and portable fans create a wind-chill effect that makes a room feel 3–4°C cooler without actually changing the air temperature. Running a ceiling fan costs about $0.01–0.02 per hour — compared to $0.15–0.30 per hour for central air conditioning.
Use fans in occupied rooms and turn them off when you leave. Fans cool people, not rooms. In combination with a thermostat set to 25°C, fans can make your home feel like 21–22°C at a fraction of the cost.
3. Block Solar Heat Before It Gets Inside
Up to 76% of sunlight hitting standard double-pane windows enters as heat. In Alberta, south- and west-facing windows are the biggest culprits during summer afternoons.
Effective Window Strategies
- Close blinds and curtains on south- and west-facing windows from noon to 7 PM
- Use light-coloured or reflective window coverings — they reflect heat away rather than absorbing it
- Consider window film — low-E window film can block up to 70% of solar heat for $8–15 per window
- Use exterior shading — awnings, shade sails, or deciduous trees on the south side provide natural cooling
Homes in Calgary and Lethbridge get especially intense afternoon sun due to high elevation and clear skies. Strategic shading in these cities can reduce cooling needs by 20–30%.
4. Shift Energy-Heavy Tasks to Off-Peak Hours
Alberta’s electricity grid sees the highest demand — and often the highest spot prices — between 3 PM and 7 PM on hot summer days. If you’re on a variable rate, shifting high-draw activities to morning or evening can lower your costs.
Tasks to Schedule Outside Peak Hours
- Laundry and dishwasher: Run after 8 PM or before 10 AM
- Oven and stove cooking: Cook in the morning or use a BBQ, slow cooker, or microwave instead
- EV charging: Charge overnight when grid demand is lowest
- Pool pumps: Run overnight or early morning
Even on a fixed rate, reducing the heat generated by ovens, dryers, and dishwashers during the afternoon means your AC works less — and that translates directly to savings.
5. Maintain Your Air Conditioning System
A poorly maintained AC system can use 15–25% more electricity than a well-tuned one. Before summer gets going, take 30 minutes for basic maintenance:
- Replace or clean air filters every 1–3 months — dirty filters restrict airflow and force the compressor to work harder
- Clear debris from the outdoor condenser unit — remove leaves, grass clippings, and anything within 60 cm
- Check refrigerant lines for insulation damage — exposed lines lose cooling efficiency
- Schedule professional maintenance annually — a technician can catch issues before they become expensive
If your AC unit is 15+ years old, it may have a SEER rating of 8–10. Modern units rated SEER 16–20 use 40–50% less electricity for the same cooling. The upfront cost pays for itself within 5–8 years for most Alberta homes.
6. Seal Air Leaks and Improve Insulation
The same air leaks that let cold air in during winter let hot air in during summer. Common problem areas include:
- Door and window weatherstripping — replace if cracked or compressed
- Electrical outlets on exterior walls — use foam gaskets behind cover plates
- Attic hatches — add weatherstripping and insulation
- Recessed lighting — use IC-rated airtight covers
Alberta homes, especially older ones in Edmonton and Red Deer, often have insufficient attic insulation. Upgrading from R-30 to R-50 can reduce both heating and cooling costs by 10–15%. The Canada Greener Homes Grant may cover part of the cost.
7. Use Your Natural Gas Efficiently in Summer
Even though heating season is over, natural gas still powers your hot water heater, stove, dryer, and possibly your BBQ. Quick wins:
- Lower your hot water heater to 49°C (120°F) — most are set to 60°C by default, which wastes energy and risks scalding
- Take shorter showers — cutting 2 minutes off each shower saves roughly 30–40 litres of hot water per day
- Use cold water for laundry — modern detergents work just as well in cold water, and you’ll save $5–10/month on gas
- Grill outdoors — using the BBQ instead of the oven keeps heat out of the house (reducing AC costs) and uses roughly the same amount of gas
If you haven’t compared natural gas rates recently, it’s worth checking — even small per-GJ savings add up over a year.
8. Consider Solar to Offset Summer Electricity Costs
Alberta gets more sunshine than most Canadian provinces — Calgary averages over 330 days of sunshine per year. Summer is when solar panels produce the most electricity, often generating more than a home uses.
Through Alberta’s net metering program, excess solar electricity is credited against your bill. Many homeowners with solar see $0 electricity bills in June, July, and August — and those credits carry forward to offset winter months.
Get Energy’s Solar Club offers the best electricity rates specifically designed for solar homes in Alberta. If you’re considering solar or already have panels, it’s worth checking how much you could save.
9. Monitor Your Usage and Stay Informed
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Alberta homeowners can track their electricity usage through their retailer’s portal or the Utilities Consumer Advocate website.
- Review your bill monthly — look for unexpected spikes that could indicate a problem (like a failing AC compressor)
- Compare month-over-month usage — if June is dramatically higher than May with similar temperatures, something may be off
- Know your rate — understanding whether you’re on fixed or variable rates helps you decide whether to shift usage or lock in
How Much Can You Actually Save?
Here’s a realistic breakdown for a typical Alberta home implementing these tips:
| Action | Estimated Monthly Savings |
|---|---|
| Thermostat optimization (24°C vs 21°C) | $15–30 |
| Using fans instead of extra AC | $10–20 |
| Window shading and solar heat blocking | $8–15 |
| Shifting heavy tasks off-peak | $5–15 |
| AC maintenance and filter cleaning | $10–20 |
| Sealing air leaks | $5–10 |
| Hot water and gas optimization | $5–10 |
| Total potential savings | $58–120/month |
That’s $175–360 over a three-month summer — real money that stays in your pocket.
Ready to Save Even More? Check Your Energy Rate
All the efficiency tips in the world won’t help if you’re overpaying on your base rate. Get Energy offers competitive electricity and natural gas rates for Alberta homeowners, with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts required.
If you’re in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, or anywhere else in Alberta, switching takes about 5 minutes and there are no disruptions to your service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I set my AC to in summer in Alberta?
For the best balance of comfort and efficiency, set your thermostat to 24–25°C when you’re home and 27–28°C when you’re away. This can save 15–25% on cooling costs compared to keeping it at 21–22°C.
How much does air conditioning cost per month in Alberta?
Central air conditioning typically costs $80–180/month in Alberta during summer, depending on your home’s size, insulation, and thermostat settings. Well-insulated homes with efficient AC units are at the lower end.
Do ceiling fans really save money on electricity?
Yes. A ceiling fan costs about $0.01–0.02 per hour to run, compared to $0.15–0.30 for central AC. By using fans and raising your thermostat 2–3°C, you can save $20–40/month on cooling.
When is the cheapest time to run appliances in Alberta?
Electricity demand is lowest overnight (10 PM–7 AM) and on weekends. If you’re on a variable rate, running dishwashers, laundry, and other heavy appliances during these times can reduce costs.
Should I turn off my AC when I leave the house?
No — it’s more efficient to raise the set point to 27–28°C rather than turning AC off completely. Cooling a very hot house back down uses more energy than maintaining a moderate temperature.
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