How to Cool Your House for Cheaper in Utah

Why cooling costs spike here

Salt Lake City’s dry desert heat is exactly the climate evaporative (“swamp”) coolers were built for — many homes use them instead of, or alongside, central AC because they cost a fraction as much to run. On top of that, Utah electric rates average $0.140/kWh through Rocky Mountain Power — and air conditioning can account for 50% or more of a household's total electric bill during peak summer months, more than any other single use in the home.

Six ways to cool for less

1. 1
   Consider an evaporative (“swamp”) cooler alongside or instead of AC. Utah's dry climate is exactly what evaporative coolers are designed for — they use water evaporation instead of a refrigerant compressor, and typically cost a fraction as much to run as central AC.
2. 2
   Block heat before it gets inside. Close blinds or curtains on sun-facing windows during the hottest part of the day. Reflective window film or exterior shades can cut solar heat gain significantly on west- and south-facing glass.
3. 3
   Pre-cool in the morning, coast through peak heat. Run AC harder in the early morning when it's cheaper and more efficient (cooler outdoor air = less work for the compressor), then let the house coast on thermal mass through the hottest afternoon hours.
4. 4
   Skip the oven and stovetop during heat waves. Cooking adds heat and humidity that your AC then has to remove. A microwave, slow cooker, or outdoor grill keeps that heat load out of the house entirely on the hottest days.
5. 5
   Change your AC filter monthly during cooling season. A clogged filter restricts airflow and forces the system to run longer to hit the same temperature. It's a five-minute, low-cost task that keeps efficiency where it should be all summer.

Why AC and plug-in solar are a natural pair

Air conditioning draws the most power in the early-to-mid afternoon on hot, sunny days — which is exactly when a south-facing solar panel produces the most electricity. That overlap makes cooling one of the best use cases for the self-consumption model plug-in solar relies on, since there's rarely a mismatch between when you're generating and when you need the power most.

Under HB 340, Utah allows plug-in systems up to 1200W with no permit and no utility approval. The law is already in effect. An 800W system in Salt Lake City generates roughly 1,092 kWh a year — worth about $153 at local rates, much of it landing during exactly the hours your AC is working hardest.

Bottom line

Free efficiency habits — fans, shading, filter changes, smart scheduling — knock the edges off a summer electric bill immediately. Pairing them with a plug-in solar system that produces the most power at the exact hours your AC needs it most is how you actually bend the curve down for good.