Are high electric bills draining your wallet? You’re not alone. Many households spend hundreds every month on energy without realizing how much they can save with small changes.
Lowering your power bill doesn’t require a complete lifestyle overhaul. With the right tips, you can start saving money this month. Here’s how to cut back on electricity use, reduce monthly costs, and still stay comfortable at home.
Check Your Energy Usage First
Before making changes, you need to know where your electricity is going.
- Log in to your power company account. Look at the monthly and daily usage history. Do you use more power at night? Are weekends worse?
- Use a free energy audit. Many power companies offer virtual or in-person audits. These reports often spotlight energy waste areas like insulation gaps or inefficient appliances.
- Track specific devices. Use an energy monitor like the Kill A Watt meter. Plug in individual devices to see how much electricity they actually use.
Once you understand where the power goes, you can target what changes matter most.
Unplug What You’re Not Using
Your electronics still draw power—even when turned off. This standby energy, also called phantom power, adds up.
- TVs, game consoles, cable modems, and coffee makers pull electricity around the clock.
- Plug them into a power strip. Then switch off the strip when not in use.
- Smart power strips automatically cut electricity to items not in use.
The Department of Energy says phantom loads can make up 5-10% of your electric bill. Getting rid of them is an easy win.
Swap Out Your Light Bulbs
If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, you’re wasting money.
- LED bulbs use 75% less electricity and last up to 25 times longer.
- Replace bulbs in your most-used areas first: kitchen, living room, bathroom.
- Look for ENERGY STAR certified LEDs for better efficiency
- Install motion sensors or timers in hallways and bathrooms to prevent lights being left on.
One home can save $100 or more per year just by switching to LEDs throughout the house.
Set Your Thermostat Smarter
Heating and cooling make up nearly half of your power bill. Changing how you control temperature has a huge effect.
- Use a programmable smart thermostat. Set it to reduce heating or cooling when you’re asleep or away.
- Every degree counts. In winter, try 68°F during the day and 60°F at night. In summer, keep it around 76-78°F.
- Seal air leaks. Cracks in doors and windows force your HVAC to work harder.
Adjusting your thermostat by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 10% annually.
Replace or Upgrade Old Appliances
Older appliances can quietly add hundreds to your energy bill.
- Refrigerators over 15 years old are less energy-efficient and costlier to run.
- Aging dishwashers may use more water and longer wash cycles.
- Washing machines built before 2003 use more water and more power.
When it’s time to replace, choose ENERGY STAR-rated models. They use less power and water. Some utility companies offer rebates or pick-up services on old appliances.
Use Less Hot Water
Water heating is the second biggest energy expense in most homes.
- Lower your water heater temp to 120°F. It’s hot enough for daily use but still saves money.
- Wash laundry in cold water. About 90% of a washing machine’s power use is heating water.
- Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Less water used means less energy spent heating it.
- Fix leaking taps quickly. Drips waste hot water you’ve already paid to heat.
These changes can reduce your water heater’s energy use by 10-15% or more.
Dry Your Clothes Cheaper
Clothes dryers are one of the highest energy-using appliances in your home.
- Hang clothes to dry. It’s free and keeps air cooler in summer.
- Dry full loads. Running two half-loads uses more energy than one full cycle.
- Clean the lint trap after every load. A blocked trap reduces efficiency and becomes a fire hazard.
If you use your dryer often, consider upgrading to a heat pump dryer. It may use half as much electricity.
Cook Smarter in the Kitchen
How you cook affects your power use.
- Use a microwave instead of your oven for reheating. It uses less energy and doesn’t heat your whole kitchen.
- Use lids on pots. Food cooks faster, which saves energy.
- Match pot size to burner size. Don’t use a small pot on a large burner.
- Try air frying or pressure cooking. These methods use much less power than the oven.
Small adjustments during daily cooking add up over the course of a month.
Insulate and Weatherize Your Home
Your heating or cooling might be seeping right out of your walls and windows. Plug the leaks to lock in comfort and lower bills.
- Use weatherstripping around doors.
- Add insulation to your attic or crawl space.
- Caulk windows and baseboards.
- Use insulation film on drafty windows. It’s cheap and easy to install.
Energy audits often show that sealing leaks and adding insulation can reduce energy costs by up to 15%.
Time Your Energy Use Better
Some utilities charge different rates depending on the time of day. Using power during off-peak hours can help lower the bill.
- Run laundry or the dishwasher late at night, early morning, or weekends.
- Charge your electric car or electronics overnight instead of peak evening times.
- Check your utility’s Time-of-Use rate plan to see when you save most.
Even without rate plans, shifting energy use to cooler parts of the day helps relieve strain on your HVAC system.
Switch Your Electricity Supplier (If You Can)
In some states, you can choose your electricity provider. Rates vary widely, and switching could save a significant amount.
- Check providers in your zip code at sites like EnergySage or ChooseEnergy.
- Compare fixed-rate versus variable-rate plans carefully.
- Consider clean energy options—some solar or wind plans cost the same or less than your current utility.
If your area is deregulated, you have more control over the rate you pay per kilowatt hour.
Go Solar and Start Generating Your Own Power
Installing solar panels can dramatically cut energy costs in the long run.
- Power companies in many states offer net metering, where you earn credits for energy you send back to the grid.
- Federal solar tax credits offer a 30% deduction on the cost of installation.
- Solar leases or power-purchase agreements allow you to go solar with no upfront cost.
If you plan to stay in your home for several years, it often makes financial sense to add panels.
Other Quick Tips for Daily Use
- Turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Use dimmer switches and lamps instead of overhead lights.
- Open blinds during winter days for natural warmth, close them during summer to keep heat out.
- Use ceiling fans in summer. They cost less to run and help distribute cool air.
- Dust your refrigerator coils. Clogged coils make the fridge work harder.
These small actions, done consistently, lead to real savings.
Make It a Habit, Not a Hassle
Saving on your electric bill doesn’t have to feel like work. Start by focusing on one or two areas you can change this week. Track your progress and look for small wins.
The more energy-conscious your home becomes, the more money stays in your pocket.
