Shocked senior gentleman looking at his bills in disbelief cut electricity bill

13 Easy Ways to Cut Your Electricity Bill

/Updated /1 Comment/in /by Mary Hunt

Utilities are the services required to operate a home—water, electricity, and gas. While phone and internet services may also be considered utilities, we will focus on the big one with how to cut your electricity bill. Some tips can also be applied to gas heat and gas-powered appliances.

Shocked senior gentleman looking at his bills in disbelief seated in an armchair isolated on white background

 

I know the feeling. The mail arrives. The return address on the really thick envelope reveals the electricity company. Shove it to the bottom of the stack. Finally, hands shaking, open it knowing we’ve been negligent, lock eyeballs with the amount due. Higher than it has ever been. Sure, rates are skyrocketing, but that does not make this easier to swallow. But it jerks me back into intentional, specific, cost-cutting mode.

If you’re facing high utility bills that rival what you pay for rent or mortgage—or if you’re simply looking to cut costs—these tips can help you get started with how to cut your electricity bill.

1. Change Filters

It’s understandable to want to hide vents with furniture to improve the appearance of a room, but it’s crucial to leave enough space around them so that air can circulate properly. Blocking vents can cause your HVAC system to work harder and even break down.

To keep your HVAC system running efficiently, it’s essential to maintain it regularly. This includes changing the air filter every couple of months, or more frequently if you have pets. When the air filters get clogged with dust, dirt, and pet hair, it can reduce the airflow and cause your air conditioner and furnace to work less efficiently, potentially leading to breakdowns. When replacing the filter, use a vacuum brush extension to clean the dust around the filter slot.

2. Clean and Clear Vents

Keeping inside air vents and outdoor AC units clear of debris and obstructions is also essential. Trim back any bushes, remove any debris that may be touching the unit, and leave at least a foot of space around the unit for it to function correctly.

3. Regular Adjustments

Lower and raise the thermostat according to the seasons and living conditions. Generally, that means at night and when no one is home. Cooling your home below 78°F in the summer or heating it warmer than 68°F in the winter makes no economic sense. OK, I hear some of you groaning, so consider those to be my standards, so thoughtfully make your own. Just know that for every degree cooler or warmer than necessary, you are paying a dear price in energy costs.

Regardless of your preferred settings, it’s a pain to continually adjust the thermostat during the day and night. Mostly, you’ll forget—leaving the thing set to 78°F while you’re gone for the weekend ski trip or at 68°F during the heat of summer—and that’s the kiss of death for an electricity bill. You really will save money when you invest in a programmable thermostat for your home.

Set it to adjust the temperature automatically according to your schedule. Upgrade to a smart programmable thermostat for added convenience, it can be controlled using voice commands or a mobile device. Some even have reminders to change the air filter.

4. Turn it Down

At what temperature is your home’s water heat? It’s easy to check as water heaters have a temperature-setting dial (manual or digital) right on them. Consider changing the temperature of your water heater to help cut your monthly bill.

Most households typically only need their water heater thermostats set at 120ºF, even though some manufacturers may set them higher, at 140ºF. The lower temp not only helps prevent mineral buildup and corrosion in the water heater and pipes, but also avoids the safety risk of scalding associated with heating water to 140ºF.

The Department of Energy says that lowering your water heater temperature can result in savings by reducing standby heat losses, which is the heat lost from the water heater into the surrounding area. If your water heater is set too high, at 140ºF, it can waste between $36 to $61 annually in standby heat losses. You can also save more than $400 by consuming water at a lower temperature—clothes washing, showers, and dishwashing.

5. Invest in Fans

Fans consume significantly less energy than a furnace or air conditioner. They can be utilized to reduce costs for both heating and cooling.

Many ceiling fans have a switch to change the rotation direction. In summer, the rotation is set to circulate cool air downward; winter pulls air upwards. I wrote about this with specific instructions to figure out exactly which way to set your ceiling fans in The Mystery of Ceiling Fan Direction Plus Best Inexpensive Ceiling Fan.

If installing ceiling fans is not an option, such as in a rental property, pedestal fans can be an alternative solution. They also use significantly less energy and help keep the thermostat at a higher setting. Some pedestal fans come with remote controls for convenience.

6. Get Into the Habit of Unplugging

According to the Department of Energy, appliances such as refrigerators and digital alarm clocks should remain plugged in at all times, however, other household electronics such as televisions, computers, and toaster ovens should be unplugged when not in use. These devices in standby mode can consume 5% to 10% of the average household’s energy usage.

Unplugging appliances and electronics when not in use can result in an annual savings of about $100 on energy bills, equivalent to about $8 per month on electricity bills.

To simplify the process, you can connect these electronics to a single power strip and turn it off when you are finished using the appliances for the day.

In addition, electrical outlets can allow warm air to escape and pull in cool air (or vice versa), and using socket seals can help save energy. And if you have unused sockets, you can use outlet plug covers to seal them completely.

7. Invest in Blackout Curtains

An inexpensive way to cut costs is to invest a few bucks in blackout curtains. Found at stores like Walmart and Target, they block light, noise, and temperature fluctuations.

By blocking out sunlight, blackout curtains are useful for those who sleep during daylight hours, by blocking necessary for windows that receive the most sunlight during the day, typically south-facing windows. In winter, thick curtains can also help retain heat inside the room.

8. Check Ductwork and Attic

Signs that your home’s ductwork and attic need repairs include warm or cool air escaping.

If you can see the support beams in your attic, it indicates a lack of sufficient insulation. On the other hand, visible dust accumulation on parts of your ductwork is normal, but if there are areas without dust, it indicates air leakage from joints and seals that need to be repaired.

The Department of Energy’s website provides detailed instructions on insulating your home, and many DIY tutorials are available on YouTube. However, proper insulation installation requires skill and varies depending on climate, so it is advisable to hire a professional to inspect and perform the work.

9. Use Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Switching to energy-efficient LED light bulbs from incandescent, compact fluorescent, and halogen bulbs can save you approximately $225 per year on your energy bill.

Choosing the right LED light bulb depends on your budget, replacement schedule, and lighting preferences; however, the Department of Energy agrees that any LED light bulb is an effective way to reduce energy costs.

Although these bulbs may have a higher initial cost, they ultimately save more energy and have a longer lifespan, making the investment worthwhile.

If your budget is tight, there’s no need to replace all the light bulbs in your home at once. Instead, replace them as they burn out, this way, the energy savers will also be cost-effective from the beginning.

10. Cut Dryer Time

Dryer balls are commonly known for preventing static and wrinkles, which is true, but they also have additional benefits.

Dryer balls can significantly reduce drying time by up to 25%, saving you to save on utility bills and time on your chores.

Keeping the lint trap in your dryer clean on a regular basis can increase its efficiency and reduce the risk of fires.

11. Upgrade

Home appliances such as heating and cooling systems, refrigerators, ovens, washers, and dryers can be costly to purchase, but choosing energy-efficient models with the official Energy Star label can save you money in the long ruPlanninging and finding ways to save money in advance may be necessary to afford these costly appliances.

To find the best deals on appliances, it is crucial to be aware of major sales events and the release of new models. These often occur around holidays such as Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day, and Black Friday.

In addition, many manufacturers offer significant discounts on their products when new models are about to be released. This typically occurs in September, October, and January. However, new refrigerator models are typically introduced in May.

If you prefer to make appliance purchases online or want to avoid busy stores, you may find discounts on appliances throughout the year. However, it is essential to remember that shipping costs can vary, so comparing prices before making a purchase is recommended.

Another option is to look for upgraded used appliances on platforms such as eBay, Craigslist, OfferUp, LetGo, and Facebook Marketplace or at donation centers like the Salvation Army.

12. Use Caulking

According to the Department of Energy, applying caulking around windows and doors can help retain warm air inside during the winter and cool air inside during the summer. This easy home repair project can be completed in a couple of hours, costing as little as a few dollars.

Caulking can help fix minor air leaks, but if you find that your utility costs are exceptionally high in the winter and summer, more extensive upgrades, such as a new roof or storm windows, may be necessary to prevent significant air leaks. A home energy audit can help determine your home’s most effective energy-efficient upgrades.

13. Budget Billing

Many electricity providers offer a budget billing service that calculates an average of your utility bills throughout the year and generates a fixed bill, avoiding unexpected charges. This means you may pay slightly more during moderate-temperature seasons such as spring and fall, but your electric and gas bills should be more manageable during the hot and cold seasons.

It is a good idea to check with your power company to see their budget billing options. You can visit the company’s website or give them a call. Additionally, you can explore programs such as WattBuy to check if you are eligible to switch energy providers.

 

 

 

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1 reply
  1. Cath T says:

    Cleaning the condenser coils on your refrigerator twice a year will help it run more efficiently and help extend the life of your refrigerator. Use the same specialty cleaning brush to do a deep cleaning of your dryer. Getting the lint out not only of the trap every time you use it, but also occasionally down beyond the trap, and the exhaust vent tube to the outside will help it run more efficiently (and reduce the risk of fire).

    Reply

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