When people talk about energy saving, attention is almost always focused on the colder months: heating, gas, radiators, and home insulation. However, in recent years, summer has also become a season that deserves close attention.
Increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves are leading to higher electricity consumption for cooling our homes. The result? Higher utility bills, greater pressure on the electricity grid, and an environmental impact that we tend to underestimate.
Summer costs more than we think
According to forecasts by the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2050 the energy demand for air conditioning is expected to more than triple, consuming as much electricity on its own as China and India use today. This will make cooling one of the main drivers of growth in global electricity demand.
The use of air conditioners is also steadily increasing in Italy. During periods of extreme heat, millions of households switch on their cooling systems at the same time, creating peaks in electricity consumption during the hottest hours of the day.
The paradox is that we almost always perceive air conditioning as an occasional expense, whereas its continuous use has a significant impact on summer utility bills.
Investments in more efficient air conditioning systems could reduce the energy required for cooling by as much as 45%.
Climate change comes into our homes
Heat is both an environmental and an economic problem.
The European Copernicus programme, as reported by Wired Italia, shows that the past 11 years have been the warmest ever recorded globally. In particular, 2025 was the third warmest year since 1850, when reliable global instrumental records began. Moreover, the average global temperature over the past three years exceeded the +1.5°C threshold compared with the pre-industrial era, the limit identified by the Paris Agreement to contain the most severe effects of the climate crisis.
Unfortunately, the figures reported in scientific studies are also reflected in our utility bills. Longer periods of higher temperatures mean longer use of fans, air conditioners, and cooling systems, resulting in higher electricity consumption and increased household expenses. During heatwaves, demand for electricity from both households and businesses rises, putting pressure on power grids and increasing overall system costs.
This creates a vicious circle: hotter weather leads to higher energy consumption; higher energy consumption results in greater emissions when electricity is generated from fossil fuels; and higher emissions contribute to climate change. The climate crisis therefore affects not only ecosystems but is increasingly entering our homes through higher utility bills and everyday costs that weigh on household budgets.
Small choices, big difference
When the weather gets hot, the temptation is to lower the thermostat as much as possible. The Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE) provides a list of fourteen recommendations prepared by ENEA – the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development – to help reduce summer energy costs, which depend less on the air conditioner itself than on how it is used.
For example, a poorly maintained air conditioner can consume up to 30% more energy than its factory specifications, while an A+++ energy-rated model can use up to 40% less electricity than a Class B appliance.
The temperature setting also makes a difference: during summer, 24–26°C is generally sufficient, avoiding excessive differences compared with the outdoor temperature. We should also remember to use the dehumidification function to improve comfort without increasing energy consumption. Humidity in the air makes temperatures feel higher than they actually are.
Among the simplest and most effective recommendations are also closing shutters and curtains during the hottest hours of the day, using programmable thermostats, limiting the simultaneous use of appliances that generate heat, and taking advantage of natural ventilation during the evening. Small measures that help reduce both utility bills and environmental impact.
Energy savings and financial savings go hand in hand
We tend to think of sustainability and saving money as two separate goals. In reality, when it comes to energy, they overlap much more than we imagine.
Reducing electricity consumption not only lowers harmful emissions but also frees up financial resources that can be used for other goals: an emergency fund, a holiday, or a personal project.
Even summer, often seen as the season of holidays and relaxation, offers an opportunity to learn how to manage both energy consumption and money more effectively. Because saving is something we build throughout the entire year.
To avoid falling behind, invest your time in developing financial education skills that will help you manage your money more consciously: take part in the free in-person and online activities offered by the Museum of Saving, follow our blog, and browse the many publications available on our website www.museodelrisparmio.it.
3 June 2026