Households are cutting back on food spending to cope with air conditioning amid the summer heat

Americans burned by their summer air conditioning bills are forced to cut costs elsewhere to make ends meet.

One in three American households cut back on food spending to meet their utility bills, according to new data from PowerSetter, a platform used to compare energy rates.

The company reported that 75% of survey participants, of which there were 2,000, anticipated rising utility bills during the summer months that could “cause them financial strain”.

“Extreme heat is causing higher energy consumption. Households are more likely to turn on the AC in the middle of a heat wave, which increases their energy consumption and related expenses,” PowerSetter founder and CEO Mark Feygin told Fortune, citing rising energy prices. caused by inflation as another cause of financial difficulties.

“While many consumers are reducing their electricity use because they simply cannot afford the rising bills, they may still end up paying more than they did a year ago.”

Households are also cutting back on miscellaneous costs, such as money spent on entertainment or vacations, with one in five survey respondents saying they’ve canceled their summer plans to cover utilities, with a share of respondents admitting they’ve taken loan money to pay bills.

“When one in five Americans is canceling summer plans, it’s a red flag,” Michael Ryan, a financial expert, told Newsweek, adding that the rising costs of necessities have resulted in “difficult choices” financially.

“This reflects the broader squeeze of inflation on disposable incomes.”

Citing data from the US Energy Information Association, Fortune reported that residential energy bills have risen 30% year-over-year over the past decade, with an average spending of $151 on electricity alone across the country.

Southern states like Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas could be billed an average of $858 for monthly energy for June through September, the National Association of Energy Assistance Directors reported earlier this year, via USA Today.

According to the newspaper, residents of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are expected to see a more than 12% increase in utility costs, paying an average of more than $691.

“As more Americans are working from home, they’re using more energy at home than in an office building,” Powers Financial Group founder Drew Powers told Newsweek, adding that vacations and outdoor spending are the first to go. to shorten. personal budgets as a result.

“Combine working from home with recent inflation in everything we buy, and many Americans are being squeezed just to make ends meet.”

While there’s no tried-and-true way to combat rising electricity costs amid heat waves, experts say the cost per kilowatt-hour of usage should be routinely monitored and, if residents live in cities that charge more during “peak hours”, reducing consumption during that time period can lower bills.

Using energy-efficient light bulbs and other electrical appliances can also lower energy bills, Feygin advised, as well as strategically using household appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines when there’s a full load to clean or leaving them on. clothes to air dry.

Savvy budget-conscious people may think that turning off the air conditioning when they’re not home will be more cost-effective, but experts tell Newsweek that this method is futile.

Instead, keeping your home at a consistent, comfortable temperature throughout the day — and a little warmer during the day for a few hours — will actually cut costs in the long run. Additionally, using window shades can keep the indoor temperature cooler.

“Small savings here and there can add up to a significant amount and won’t require much effort,” Feygin added.