This is your complete guide on how to lower your electric bill. If you’re conscious about your budget, you’ve probably wondered about ways to reduce your energy bill. Every month it seems to be a growing factor, leaving homeowners and business owners wondering where exactly all of these charges are coming from. Lucky for you, there are tips and tricks to reduce your electric bill and we are going to share all of the best ones in this article.
Some of the best ways to decrease your energy bill are simple things like changing out your bulbs to LED, which can save you a lot of money! So, if you want more simple tips to reduce electric bills in 2024, our guide has the top 8 tips to save you on your next bill.
Here at The Energy Professor, we want to give you the information you need to not only save money on your energy bill but to also become more energy efficient. We hope find this post helpful! And makes it easier for you to know more about reducing electricity bills. Be sure to also check out our one-of-a-kind energy savings calculator!
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How to Save on Energy Bill 2024
The revelation that the average American spends nearly 10% of their income on electric bills can be startling. Common contributors to this expense include outdated lighting, inefficient appliances, and the costs of heating and cooling. However, there’s good news: there are actionable steps you can take to learn how to save money on your electric bill.
While certain aspects of your energy bill are beyond your control, many elements are within your grasp to manage. Personal usage of appliances and diligent thermostat monitoring are key factors you can regulate to effectively reduce your power bill. Even in the face of extreme seasonal weather, which often leaves homeowners feeling at a loss against soaring energy costs, there are strategies to help you learn how to cut down your electric bill, especially in winter.
How to reduce energy bill:
- Update Your Appliances: Investing in energy-efficient appliances can lead to significant savings in the long run.
- Switch to Efficient Lighting: Replacing old light fixtures with energy-efficient bulbs is a simple yet effective step.
- Laundry Efficiency: Optimize your laundry habits to save energy, such as washing with cold water and air-drying clothes when possible.
- Conserve Water: Lower your water usage to reduce the energy required for heating it. Consider low-flow fixtures and mindful water usage.
- Replace Air Filters Regularly: Clean air filters improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems, thereby reducing energy consumption.
- Home Insulation: Proper insulation keeps your home warm in winter and cool in summer, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling.
- Smart Temperature Regulation: Use programmable thermostats to maintain an energy-efficient indoor temperature.
- Electricity Market Options: Explore your local electricity market for potential cheaper energy pricing and plans.
Related post: Complete Guide to the Best Electricity Saving Devices for Homes
8 Tips and Tricks on How to Save on Electric Bill 2024
In this next section, we are going to go more in-depth on how to keep your electric bill low. There are simple tricks, like keeping your appliances and filters clear to even getting programmable thermostats to help regulate temperatures. So, if you’re wanting the best ways to lower your electric bill, check out our top 8 tips below!
#8 Check All Appliances
Appliances draw a lot of energy, and there are many different things you can do to lower your electric bills. Some of the top things we do to decrease our energy bills are:
- Unplug Vampire Appliances – Appliances that you don’t use regularly, but stay plugged into the wall are draining electricity. That means your coffee maker, microwave, toaster, etc. can be hurting your pocket significantly by leaving it plugged in all day.
- Properly Store Food in Your Fridge or Freezer – If your fridge or freezer is set at too low a temperature, you could be potentially wasting hundreds of dollars. You will be shocked at how many watts it takes to run your fridge. Turning up that temperature only a couple of degrees will strain your fridge a lot less to keep to that super lower temp. Also, the more you have stocked in your fridge, the less energy it takes to cool.
- Clean Your Fridge – A dusty, or dirty fridge can be a bigger problem than a lot of people realize. The coils on the back of your fridge can easily get filled up with dust and debris and cost you a pretty penny on your electric bill. Make sure to vacuum away any residue from the coils, and your fridge should start working more efficiently.
- Repair or Replace Appliances – About once a year, do a check on all of your appliances and make sure they are running properly. This can save you a ton of money in the long run, especially if you end up replacing an older appliance with one that is Energy Star-rated. Almost all newer appliances are Energy Star-approved, which means you’ll have a guarantee of a more efficient appliance.
Related post: How to Calculate Electricity Cost
# 7- Change Lighting Fixtures – Tips on How to Save on Light Bill
If you start adding up all of the lightbulbs that are in your home, you can see how they would be a major cost for your bill. If you want to lower your electric bill you can follow these two easy tips to save yourself money:
Install Dimmer Switches
Using a dimmer switch to adjust lighting throughout the day can help you save money over time if used correctly. While the dimmer switch cannot help reduce your electric bill on its own, using less light when it is daytime and more light in the evening will make a difference. Sometimes the typical dimmer switch can be a pain to get up and change, so you can consider installing smart lighting. That way, if it starts to get dark and you don’t want to get up, a simple app can allow you to turn the lights up brighter.
Change Outdated Light bulbs to LED
Switching out incandescent light bulbs to LED bulbs will save you a significant amount of money. LED bulbs last 20 times longer than traditional bulbs and use only a fraction of energy. While sometimes the upfront cost of LED bulbs can be slightly more than a traditional one, over time, this is an excellent and easy way to save on your electric bill.
Related post: Complete Guide on Light Bulb Recycling
#6 – Be Efficient in the Laundry Room – Tips on How to Lower Energy Bill
As you can see, changing your habits in one load of laundry can lower your utility bills. Washing your clothes in cold water will reduce the need for your water heater to power up and suck energy. When switching over to your dryer, you can add dryer balls to help keep hot air flowing throughout the load, or, you can skip the dryer altogether. Machine drying your clothes can make the texture of them a bit nicer, but running a line inside your home or in the backyard can cut down on energy costs.
Just like your refrigerator, your dryer can start to drag or perform poorly if it has a dirty exhaust. Clean appliances make for more efficient cycles, which means less drying time and less electricity used. Also, it would be smart to research if a gas or electric dryer is right for your home.
Related post: Is Gas Included in the Electric Bill?
#5 Watch Your Water Consumption
Water is a huge component of your electric bill, especially if you have an electric water heater. There are simple things you can do with your water usage to reduce your electric bill and increase the efficiency of your home.
- Lower the Temp on Your Water Heater – Your water heater is a huge cost when it comes to heating and cooling your home. Every time you turn on the hot water in your home, your water heater is responsible for delivering that hot water to your sink, tub, or shower. There should be a control that you can adjust on your heater to turn it down by a couple of degrees. Over time, you will see that this is one of the best ways to reduce the electricity bill at home.
- High-Efficiency Toilets – If your toilet ever breaks and you’re in the market to purchase a new one, it would be a great idea to install a more energy-efficient toilet. You can save yourself about $20 a year on your energy bill by replacing your toilet.
- Hand Wash Your Dishes – Most people think that running your dishwasher is going to use much more energy than hand washing. Which, unfortunately, is untrue. Your dishwasher is much more efficient on water, and if loaded and packed correctly, can save you a ton of money.
Related post: How to Conserve Water
#4 Replace Your Air Filter
Not only is replacing your air filter good for your allergies, it is a great way to reduce your energy bill. Just like we’ve mentioned previously in this article, clean appliances mean efficient appliances, and that works with your HVAC system too. If there is a lot of buildup or blockage, your HVAC system works in overdrive to filter the air properly.
So, if everything is clean and nonresistant, you are going to end up saving a lot of money. Air filters are relatively cheap and should be replaced about once a month, making this a great tip to save on your electricity bill.
Related post: 7 Tips on How to Save Electricity in the Summer
#3 Properly Insulate Your Home – How to Lower Your Energy Bill
Insulation is the extra layer of protection in your home or small business that helps maintain the inner temperature in the summer and winter months. When your house isn’t insulated properly, you can allow for hot or cold air to escape, causing you to run your system more often. Insulation is needed in many different aspects of your home, from the walls to pipes to flooring. It is all-important to make sure that you are properly insulated to not only save you money but to make sure you are safe from extreme temperatures.
If you are concerned with the insulation in your walls, it might be smart to call in a professional before extreme weather takes hold. If you’re looking for quick fixes while dealing with extreme winter temperatures, you can always wrap your water pipes. This keeps the heat within the pipe and can help prevent it from freezing or bursting. Even installing a green roof on the top of your home can help insulate your home by absorbing heat and deflecting sunlight. Managing insulation is a great way to lower your energy bill.
Related post: Top 15 Winter Energy Saving Tips
# 2 Regulate Indoor Heating and Cooling Temperatures
Use a programmable thermostat
The largest cost of any energy bill comes with heating and cooling your home. A programmable thermostat automatically controls the temperature of your house, reducing the urge to turn it up or down. These thermostats are easy to set up and can be controlled by simple phone apps while you are away from the house. Keeping the temperatures lower when you sleep, or completely off while you’re away is one of the best ways to reduce a power bill.
Change your clothing
It sounds simple, but it is a great tip on how to save on your electric bill. When it is winter time, if you are cold, instead of turning up the heat, toss on another sweater or bundle up in a blanket. If it is hot outside, maybe change out of longer pants and put on shorts. It can make a huge difference by just adjusting your body temperature before reaching for the dial on the thermostat.
Check windows or doors for leaks
Older windows can bleed air out into the elements, making it rather difficult to control the temperature of your home. Simple fixes like caulking, replacing seals, plastic wrapping or weatherstripping will trap the hot or cold air inside of your house. This is necessary to do if you’re wondering how to get your electric bill down in the winter months.
Related post: Complete Guide on How to Save on Gas Bill
#1 Change Your Electricity Provider or Plan
One of the last things you can do is to switch energy suppliers. If you live in a deregulated energy market, you have the power to shop around for competitive energy plans. By using something like our Electricity Rate Check Tool, we can simply and quickly tell you if you are getting the best energy rates in your area. If there are better rates in your area The Energy Professor can help you switch your plan and start reducing your energy bill today!
If you do not live in a deregulated energy market, you may want to contact your energy provider for any discounts or possibly a new plan. There may be cancellation fees if you end your contract early, but if it is almost time to renew your contract, you might want to look into a different plan.
Related post: Guide on How to Change Name on Electric Bill
Tips and Tricks on How to Reduce Your Electric Bill in the Winter 2024
Winter and summer months can be brutal on electric bills, and there are certain steps beyond insulation you can take to lower your energy bill. So if you’re someone who looking to cut your budget in those freezing temperatures, here are some tricks on how to cut down your electric bill in the winter. These are just a few tips and tricks, as you should check out our entire guide on how to reduce your electric bill in the winter!
Tricks on How to Reduce Your Electric Bill in Winter 2024
Winter often brings the challenge of managing higher electric bills due to increased heating needs. However, with some smart strategies and a bit of knowledge, you can significantly cut down on these costs. Here are some effective tricks to reduce your electric bill during the winter of 2024:
1. Leverage a Programmable Thermostat
- Modern programmable thermostats allow you to set and automatically adjust the heating schedule based on your daily routine. This can ensure efficient energy use by lowering the temperature when you’re not at home or during the night.
2. Adapt Your Clothing to the Weather
- A simple yet effective way to reduce heating costs is by dressing warmer inside. Layering up with sweaters, and warm socks, and using blankets can comfortably allow for a lower thermostat setting.
3. Seal Windows and Doors
- Inspect windows and doors for drafts and seal any leaks. Even small gaps can lead to significant heat loss, forcing your heating system to work harder and use more energy.
4. Utilize Sunlight for Natural Warmth
- Open curtains during sunny days to allow natural sunlight to warm your home, and close them in the evenings to retain the heat.
5. Maintain Your Heating System
- Regular maintenance of your heating system ensures it operates efficiently. Clean or replace filters and have a professional check the system before the onset of winter.
6. Invest in Energy-Efficient Insulation
- Upgrade insulation in your home, particularly in areas like attics, basements, and walls. Good insulation reduces the need for extensive heating.
7. Consider Energy-Efficient Appliances
- If you’re due for an upgrade, choose energy-efficient models for significant long-term savings.
8. Monitor Energy Consumption
- Keep track of your energy usage with smart meters or energy monitoring systems. This can help you identify and address high-energy activities.
Related post: Top 15 Winter Energy Saving Tips
How to Lower Your Electric Bill 2024 FAQ
Q: What is a Vampire Appliance?
A: Appliances that you don’t use regularly, but stay plugged into the wall are draining electricity. That means your coffee maker, microwave, toaster, etc. can be hurting your pocket significantly by leaving it plugged in all day.
Q: How Can Cleaning My Fridge Help Lower My Energy Bill?
A: A dusty, or dirty fridge can be a bigger problem than a lot of people realize. The coils on the back of your fridge can easily get filled up with dust and debris and cost you a pretty penny on your electric bill. Make sure to vacuum away any residue from the coils, and your fridge should start working more efficiently.
Q: How Often Should I Replace or Repair My Appliances?
A: About once a year, do a check on all of your appliances and make sure they are running properly. This can save you a ton of money in the long run, especially if you end up replacing an older appliance with one that is Energy Star-rated.
Q: Should I Change My Lightbulbs to LEDs?
A: Switching out incandescent light bulbs to LED bulbs will save you a significant amount of money. LED bulbs last 20 times longer than traditional bulbs and use only a fraction of energy. While sometimes the upfront cost of LED bulbs can be slightly more than a traditional one, over time, this is an excellent and easy way to save on your electric bill.
Q: How Can I Reduce My Electric Bill This Winter?
A: Use a programmable thermostat, wear more or less clothing depending on the weather, and check your windows and doors for air leaks!
Do you Need Cheaper Electricity?
If you’ve taken the time to understand the information on your bill and discovered you’re paying more than you’d like for your electricity, have you looked around for a cheaper deal? The Energy Professor has a wealth of information on ways to save on your utilities, including details of top deals that could significantly reduce your monthly or quarterly electricity bills.
We hope you found this article helpful! If you are looking for ways to increase energy efficiency and sustainability in your home be sure to take a look at all of the latest renewable energy options in your area. The Energy Professor helps residential and small business owners find qualified energy suppliers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, Maryland, Illinois, and Massachusetts