Is your electric bill making you sweat more than the summer heat? You’re not alone. With rising utility costs, many folks struggle to afford their monthly power bills.
But don’t stress! There are tons of ways to reduce electricity usage and many ways to save big each month. This guide will walk through 25 tips to shrink your electric expenses. We’ll cover easy things you can start today like using power strips. And bigger upgrades like insulation that require an investment but deliver ongoing savings. Read on to start putting more money back in your wallet!
Audit Your Electricity Use
First, do an energy audit to understand where power is being wasted. Many electric companies offer free audits and can pinpoint problem areas. If not, track your usage for a month with your electric meter.
See when consumption spikes to identify the worst energy hogs. Just knowing your patterns helps cut waste.
Brighten Up With LED Lighting and Save Electricity
Replacing old bulbs with LED bulbs slashes lighting costs by 75% or more! LEDs use way less wattage than incandescent bulbs and last years longer. Energy Star LEDs save about $80 annually in energy costs.
Utility company rebates energy-efficient light bulbs can make the upgrade even more affordable.
Brighten rooms and your savings by making the switch.
Unplug Devices and Use Smart Power Strips
Phantom energy usage from inactive electronics adds up fast. Plug TVs, chargers, and other gadgets into smart power strips. These sense when devices are off and cut off the phantom drain.
Manually unplugging also works. Just remember to plug it back in when needed. Stop paying a utility bill for energy you don’t use!
Use Natural Lighting
During daylight hours, open blinds and curtains to let free natural light in. Turn off unnecessary lights and use natural illumination to limit your energy use and save on your electric bill.
Change HVAC Filters Monthly
A dirty HVAC filter forces your furnace or air conditioner system to work harder, wasting energy. Swap air conditioning filters each month and furnace filters each quarter. Write reminders on your calendar so you don’t forget.
Enroll in LIHEAP for Bill Assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay your heating bill for qualifying households. You can also get free weatherization upgrades through LIHEAP to make your home more efficient.
Visit Benefits.gov or call the National Energy Assistance Referral hotline at 1-866-674-6327 to check eligibility and apply.
Seal Air Leaks
Gaps around windows, doors, pipes, etc. let conditioned air escape, forcing your HVAC system to work overtime. Caulk and weather-strip openings to prevent leaks. An inexpensive DIY fix that makes your home more efficient.
Insulate Like a Pro
One of the best energy savers is proper insulation. Ensure attics, basements and walls have enough insulation to hold in cooled or heated air. Top up thin spots.
The upfront cost is higher but pays off for years through lower utility bills. Get a professional assessment of your insulation needs.
Install Double-Pane Windows
Single-pane windows transfer hot and cold air. Replacing with double-pane insulated windows provides better insulation to regulate indoor temperatures.
Installation fees can be high but tax credits offset the costs. Enjoy lower bills for decades in your newly sealed home.
Plant Trees for Natural Shading
Shade trees strategically planted around your home provide free summer cooling. Leafy branches prevent direct sunlight from overheating indoor spaces.
With less solar heat gain, your AC runs less often – saving electricity and money on bills.
Use Ceiling Fans Instead of AC
Using ceiling fans keeps rooms feeling cooler so you can dial down the AC. Fans only use about 10% of the electricity that AC units consume.
Install reversible fans to circulate warm air in winter and help heating systems operate efficiently as well.
Set Your Water Heater Temperature to 120°F
Your water heater likely came from the factory with a 140°F setting. But turning down the temperature to 120°F still provides comfortable hot water for showers, laundry, and dishes.
This simple fix reduces heating costs and lowers your electric bill each month. Give it a try!
Wrap Water Heater and Pipes
Insulating your water heater and hot water pipes reduces heat loss as water travels to taps and appliances. Less wasted energy equates to savings!
Use pre-slit pipe foam or fiberglass wraps to insulate. Follow directions carefully to avoid safety hazards.
Fix Leaking Faucets
Listen for drips and fix any leaky faucets or showerheads. Hot water leaks waste gallons monthly, adding to your electric and water bills.
Watching your meter can help detect hidden plumbing leaks too. Address drips promptly to conserve resources.
Install Low-Flow Showerheads
Standard showerheads use over 2 gallons of water per minute. Low-flow models cut usage in half without sacrificing pressure.
Reduced water volume means your water heater works with less energy to supply hot showers. Upgrade your showerhead and start saving.
Run Full Loads
Only run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads. Avoid the temptation to wash half-loads – you’ll use the same energy and more over time.
Wait until you have enough dirty dishes or laundry built up before running a cycle. Your patience pays off in your electricity bill savings.
Air Dry Dishes
Hand-drying dishes is tedious. But so is paying extra to use your dishwasher’s heat-dry setting. Just open the dishwasher after the final rinse and let the dishes air dry.
This simple habit keeps more money in your wallet. Plus, you get to skip a chore!
Wash Clothes in Cold Water
Warm and hot water cycles use significantly more energy to heat the water. But modern detergents clean just as effectively in cold or warm water.
Make cold water your new default for laundry. You’ll never even notice the difference except on your electric bill.
Save Energy – Upgrade Old Appliances
New refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances boast much better energy efficiency than older models. If yours are over 10 years old, a replacement could pay for itself through energy savings.
Look for Energy Star models and check utility company rebates to maximize value. Then recycle the old unit.
Utilize Smart and Programmable Thermostats
Smart thermostats allow remote temperature adjustments from your phone, so you never waste energy heating or cooling an empty home. Programmable thermostat models also optimize settings around your schedule.
Efficiency automation equals effortless energy savings over manual thermostats.
Sign Up for Budget Billing
Stop stressing over fluctuating seasonal energy bills and sign up for budget billing from your electric company. This evens your payments out across the year, making costs more manageable.
You still only pay for the energy used annually but energy bill is divided evenly in the fixed monthly amount.
Take Advantage of Off-Peak Hours Electric Rates
Electricity costs more during periods of high demand – typically hot afternoons in summer and cold evenings in winter. But rates are cheaper during off-peak hours when fewer people are actively using power.
Check with your electric provider to see if they offer time-of-use pricing. If so, you can pay lower kWh rates by running appliances like the washer, dryer, dishwasher, and oven during off-peak times.
For example, schedule tasks like laundry and dishwashing in the early morning or late evening to take advantage of lower rates. Avoid the expensive peak hours of 4-7pm when everyone is home cooking dinner and watching TV.
Shifting usage saves 10-40% or more compared to always using electricity at standard rates.
Programming reminders helps turn off-peak savings into an effortless habit.
Compare Power Company Rates and Providers
Don’t just assume your current electric company offers the best rates. Comparison shop suppliers annually to find potential savings. Many cities have multiple providers vying for your business.
Enter your zip code online to evaluate all your options in minutes. A little research can lead to major savings.
Take Advantage of Rebates and Tax Credits
Many utility companies and municipalities offer rebates for purchasing energy-efficient products or making qualifying improvements. State and federal governments also have efficiency tax credits you can leverage to start saving money on monthly bills.
Do your homework to identify the incentives available for your situation. Then use programs to maximize savings on upgrades.
Bonus Tip: Get FREE Cell Service from EASY Wireless
If you’re struggling to pay electric bills, free cell phone and data service is one less expense to worry about. See if you qualify for federal Lifeline and ACP benefits through EASY Wireless. Then slash hundreds more in annual costs.
Learn how over 40% of U.S. households are qualifying for this free service from EASY Wireless.
Keep More Cash with Electricity Savings
Don’t let electric bills bust your budget. With small daily tweaks, long-term upgrades, assistance programs, and free wireless service, you can significantly shrink power expenses. Try 2-3 tips that fit your situation and lifestyle and watch the savings accumulate!
