My electric mower conked out halfway through my yard in July

I was mowing my lawn in Phoenix when the battery just gave up, and I had to finish with my old gas mower. That made me look up how much power my whole house uses, and I found out my AC unit from 2005 is a huge energy hog. I'm getting a new, efficient one installed next week. Anyone have tips for cutting down on summer electric bills without baking?

3 comments

3 Comments

lindab491mo ago

Wait, you were mowing in Phoenix in July? How are you even alive out there? That heat is no joke. I can't believe your mower just quit like that, but it's wild that it made you check your whole house power. My old AC was from around then too and it was like throwing money out the window. Getting a new one is the best move. Have you looked into a smart thermostat to go with it?

nathana481mo ago

That's a great wake-up call from your mower, honestly! Something a lot of people miss is the attic. If your attic insulation is old or thin, it's like trying to cool your house with the oven on right above you. Getting that beefed up can be a game changer for keeping the heat out. A radiant barrier under the roof can also help a ton in a sunny place like Phoenix. It reflects the heat before it even gets into your house.

zara_kelly271mo ago

Oh man, that's a rough way to find out! I was reading an article just last week about how much shade can help. Planting a tree on the west or south side of your house to block the afternoon sun can really take a load off your new AC. Also, sealing up any drafts around windows and doors is a cheap fix that makes a big difference. A ceiling fan lets you set the thermostat a few degrees higher and still feel cool.