How to Lower Your Electric Bill: Beginner Tips for Homemakers
Let’s talk about something we all love—saving money! We know that electricity costs can creep up. I want to share some tips and tricks with you to show you how to lower your electric bill! You can actually start today!
You can make a real difference with just a few changes.
Some studies even show that small switches can save you around $6 a month. I know that doesn’t sound like much at first, but if you add up those little savings across the year—or combine them with other changes—it really does make an impact.
So, let’s dive into a few practical ways you can cut down on your electric bill, starting today.
Memory Lane
I remember watching a guest on a talk show over twenty years ago about saving money on your electricity. They numbers were enough to make me kick it into high gear.
I was the queen of unplugging and turning off switches for a good while. But, then I forgot. You know how that goes. So, we are back at it. Here we go!
1. Adjust Your Refrigerator Settings
Your refrigerator doesn’t have to be set to its coldest setting to keep your food fresh. Most models recommend a temperature between 35–38°F, which is ideal for keeping things safe without using unnecessary energy.
When it comes to your freezer, try to get in and out quickly to prevent it from warming up and having to work overtime to cool down again. Here’s a fun tip: keeping your freezer full actually helps! The less empty space, the less room there is for warm air to creep in and take over. Interesting!
2. Lower Your Hot Water Heater Temperature
Did you know that lowering the temperature on your water heater can save you anywhere from $30 to $60 a year? Setting it to a safe water temperature can also prevent accidental burns—especially if you have little ones at home.
And while I’ll admit, I love a hot shower, this small adjustment could make a noticeable difference over time. I just strive for a very quick shower. What can I say, I like the hot water.
Taking shorter showers and lowering the temperature are both simple ways to make a difference.
3. Unplug Unused Devices
Phantom energy—electricity used by devices plugged in but not in use—can account for 5–10% of your energy bill. That’s money spent on nothing! Start unplugging chargers, small appliances (like the coffee maker), and other electronic devices when they’re not in use.
It’s a simple habit that can save you money every month.
4. Turn Off the Lights
It’s a classic tip for a reason—turning off lights when you leave a room really does help. Every little bit adds up, and even if it only saves you a few dollars a month, that’s money back in your pocket.
My mom talks about my great grandma keeping her lights off and her curtains closed. She was saving money! She also made the best homemade yeast rolls.
5. Switch to Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
If you haven’t already, consider swapping out your old bulbs for ENERGY STAR-certified LEDs. They use up to 90% less energy and last 25% longer than traditional bulbs. I know, the upfront cost might seem higher, these bulbs can save your household up to $225 a year!
Maybe just start by switching out one room at a time. Or, when one of the old ones burns out, just replace it with a recommended one.
6. Seal Air Leaks
Drafty doors and windows can let your hard-earned cooled or heated air escape, making your HVAC system work overtime.
Check for leaks and seal them with weather strips, caulk, or even a draft stopper. Fixing these leaks could save you up to 20% on energy costs. I think that is a pretty big impact for such a small change!
You can buy a “snake” to lay in front of the door to keep cool air from coming in under the door during the winter months. I just saw some recently at Marshalls. My sister bought one while we were there.
Do what you can during the colder months to lower electricity bills and reduce the amount of energy needed. You’ll be glad you did.
7. Replace Air Filters Regularly
Dirty air filters can make your HVAC system less efficient and drive up your energy bill. It like trying to breath through a t-shirt. Change it out so it will be clear and run for efficiently.
Replacing them every three months—or as recommended—keeps things running smoothly and saves you money in the long run.
Air just doesn’t flow well through dirty filters.
8. Close Doors and Blinds
Something as simple as closing exterior doors and drawing blinds during the hottest or coldest parts of the day can help regulate your home’s temperature. This reduces the strain on your heating or cooling system and helps keep your electric bill in check.
During the summer, direct sunlight comes in through my son’s bedroom. We have a black out curtain that we kept shut and it makes a huge difference in just that room. Having his ceiling fan going helps as well.
9. Know Your Energy Usage
Take a moment to look at your electricity bill and track how much energy you’re using each month.
You don’t need to memorize every detail, having a general idea of your household’s energy consumption can help you identify patterns and decide where to make changes. Plus, it is good to know how much your bill is and see how it changes over the different months of the year.
When you go to create and check your budget, you will want to be able to add that information to it. Honestly, you really should have an idea of what all of your utility bills run.
Remember, these changes might seem small but the numbers do add up over time.
10. Avoid Peak Hour Usage
Electricity tends to be more expensive during peak hours, usually in the late afternoon and early evening. If possible, run energy-heavy appliances like your dishwasher or washing machine in the early morning or late at night.
Some appliances even have timers, so you can set them to run while you’re asleep.
11. Laundry Tips for Savings
Did you know that about 90% of the energy used in a washing machine goes toward heating the water? Crazy!! Switch to cold water for most loads, and you’ll save a significant amount without sacrificing cleanliness.
When it comes to drying, clean your lint trap after every load. Not only does this help your clothes dry faster, but it also makes your dryer more efficient and reduces the risk of fire. And if you can, try line-drying clothes. It takes longer but can save even more energy.
Another tip: only run full loads of laundry. Not too full though! You don’t want to fill it over 3/4 of the way full. Especially if you have an agitator. This applies to your washer, dryer, and even your dishwasher.
Running appliances when they’re only partially full wastes energy and water.
12. Air-Dry Dishes
If you’re using a dishwasher, consider skipping the drying cycle. Instead, let your dishes air-dry or towel-dry them when they’re done washing. It’s a little extra effort, but it can help cut down on your energy usage.
I don’t know about you all, but my plastic stuff doesn’t dry in there anyhow.
13. Set It and Forget It
Using a programmable thermostat is a great way to create energy savings. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you can manually adjust it in the morning and in the evening.
I am going to be real honest here and tell you that this is not my department.
My husband is the thermostat mastermind and has that thing programmed perfectly and I do not touch it. Ever! I like that he is about saving money when it comes to this department, so he can have at it.
More Tips:
Use dimmer switches. You won’t be using all the power because a dimmer switch reduces the amount of electricity flowing to your light bulbs. Plus, it’s cozy to have the lights dimmed.
Don’t run the air conditioner during the cooler seasons when the summer days are not in full swing. Open your windows and let the breeze and cool night air blow through.
Remember that making small changes is the best way to see progress over time.
Once you start saving, make sure to put that extra money to good use by creating a budget and using it to reach your financial goals!
What To Do With The Extra Money Now That You Are Saving
I can’t tell you what to do with it, but I would recommend creating a budget. A budget helps you decide exactly where your money is going so you can start making progress on your financial goals.
When you start saving on your electric bill, don’t let that extra money just sit there. Put it to good use with a simple budget.
If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve got you covered. Check out this post on creating a budget. It’s full of tips that you can start today! At least you will know where it is going.
If you don’t have a plan for it, someone else will. Like Thorton’s! They know how to tell you how to spend your money. Delicious donuts and ice cream await!
I also really love using EveryDollar to keep things organized. It will help you to see what you are saving and then you can put it towards something that matters to you, like building up your savings or finally tackling a goal you’ve had on your heart.
Time To Be a Doer
Well, I hope you feel inspired to go unplug something, turn off some lights, and conserve energy. You can start saving today!
