My A/C Bill EXPLODED! These 5 Hacks Saved Me

If Your House Feels Like a Toaster, Read This

I opened my electric bill this week, and nearly spit out my iced coffee. It had doubled. No joke. We’re in the middle of a brutal heat wave — 93 today, humidity through the roof, and my A/C is working overtime just to keep the house livable.

But here’s the thing: I’m not just sweating through my shirt (and smelling), I’m freaking out over the electric bill. So I did what I always do — I tested solutions. Not fancy tech or expensive gadgets. Just simple, cheap hacks to cool down and cut costs. Some flopped. These five? Total game changers.

1. Close the Vents in Unused Rooms

It’s basic, but no one does it. Why are we cooling the guest room no one’s using? I shut the vents in the guest room and my office, and redirected airflow to the rooms we actually live in. Now, our bedroom cools so much faster, which means the A/C doesn’t have to run as hard. More comfort, less runtime, lower bill.

Sidenote: The world is separated into two types of people - love it cold in the bedroom or love it hot. They need to add that question to dating profiles. That’s the stuff that REALLY matters! Want a long relationship? You just need agreement on that.

Anyway, back to it…

2. Install Blackout Curtains

I bought a $12 pair on Amazon and put them in our living room, the sunniest room in our house. It used to feel like a toaster by midday — now, it’s shockingly cooler. I only use it when the sun gets really low in the sky and beams the rays right onto my couch (and face). By blocking the sun’s heat, I’m helping the A/C. Bonus: It helps keep the cool in at night too.

3. The Fan + Ice Trick (Yes, It Works)

I was skeptical too. But hear me out: I set up a basic fan behind a bowl of ice — or better yet, a frozen cup of water — and aimed it right at me in my office. So, the fan blows, hits the ice and sends the breeze onto my face. Instant chill zone. Not as powerful as central air, but it cools the space around you for literally pennies. And it feels like “wow, I’m a smart scientist.”

4. Unplug “Phantom” Appliances

Your TV, cable box, microwave — even your coffee machine — all draw power even when they’re off. And all that phantom energy turns into extra heat, which your A/C then has to fight. I unplug everything we don’t use daily. It’s not just an electricity saver — it keeps the house cooler, too.

Warning: Your family may give you shit you for this one. Yesterday, my 15-year daughter Sloane saw the unplugged microwave and said “bruh”…then walked away. It cut deep. But don’t worry, I snapped back and called her “sus”…so your boy won it!

5. Run Big Appliances at Night

I used to run the dishwasher and laundry mid-afternoon — big mistake. These machines throw off serious heat, which makes your A/C work harder. Now I run them at night, when the temps (and energy rates) drop. It made a noticeable difference in both comfort and cost. I know it sounds small, but this stuff really adds up. Seriously.

Look, I’m not saying this will cut your bill in half, but I’m already seeing a drop in energy use on my app, and we’re way more comfortable. These are real, no-nonsense fixes. Try one, try all five — they work.

And if you want to know the exact blackout curtains and fan I used, click here for my Rossen-approved picks.

Speaking of the heat, I keep getting served viral pool toys on TikTik. Nonstop. So, duh…I bought them to see if they’re worth the money…before you spend your cash. Check out the video!

Stuff You Should Know:

• Grocery Store SECRET: Shop on THIS Day Each Week To Save

• “Free Trial” Trap: Easy Hacks to Stop Surprise Charges

• I Saved 93% On Home Organizers: Here’s How

• 4 Secret Sites to Save: Deep Discounts on Flights, Furniture & Summer Camp

I’m Obsessed This Week:

Every week I test tons of products — some are garbage, some are decent, and a few are so good I actually keep using them. This is my “testing dining room…”

Here’s the stuff that made the cut this week — my Rossen Approved picks.

Click here to check them out — and if you’ve got a product you want me to try next, hit reply and let me know.

Talk soon,

Jeff