Does paying bills seem like a video game? Just when you think you’ve conquered the beast, you’ve leveled up to a greater challenge and more ferocious adversary.
Here are 20 strategies you can use to lower your utility bills, plus the approximate percentage range of potential savings for each.*
- Install energy-efficient appliances - Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers can save 10-50%.1 (U.S. DOE & EPA)
- Use LED light bulbs - Switching to LED light bulbs can save 25-80% on lighting costs.2 (Center for Environmental Health)
- Programmable thermostat - Install a programmable thermostat and save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs If it is programmed correctly.3 (Mississippi State Extension Service)
- Seal air leaks - Caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows can save 10-20% on heating and cooling bills.4 (U.S. Department of Energy)
- Upgrade insulation - Adding insulation in attics and walls can help you save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.5 (U.S. Department of Energy)
- Regular air conditioner maintenance - Routine replacement of air conditioner filters can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5-15%.6 (ENERGY STAR)
- Use ceiling fans - Using ceiling fans to circulate air can save 15-30% on cooling costs.7 (Louisiana Department of Natural Resources)
- Install solar panels - Average homeowners could save about $50,000 on electricity over the lifetime of their solar panel systems.8
- Reduce water heater temperature - Lowering the temperature on your water heater thermostat to 120°F can save $36-$61 annually on heat lost from water heater to surrounding area.9 (U.S. Department of Energy)
- Install water-efficient fixtures - Installing low-flow showerheads and faucets can save 25-60% on water usage.10 (U.S. Department of Energy)
- Insulate hot water pipes - Insulating hot water pipes can save 3-4% annually on water heating costs.11 (U.S. Department of Energy)
- Utilize natural ventilation - Opening windows strategically for natural ventilation can save 10-30% in energy consumption.12 (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)
- Shade windows - Installing shades, blinds, or awnings can reduce heat loss through windows by 40%.13 (U.S. Department of Energy)
- Switch to energy-efficient windows - Installing energy-efficient windows saves homeowners 12% on average in heating and cooling costs.14 (Energysavings.com)
- Use smart power strips - Using smart power strips can save up to 10% on electricity bills by reducing standby power usage.15 (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
- Air dry clothes - Using a clothesline and/or drying racks can save over $200 a year based on five loads per week. 16
- Wash dishes efficiently - An ENERGY-STAR-qualified dishwasher can reduce your energy bill by more than $30 a year.17 (U.S. Department of Energy)
- Cook efficiently - Using a microwave rather than an oven to heat small portions of food can save up to 80% in cooking energy.18 (ENERGY STAR)
- Use energy-efficient landscaping - Planting trees and shrubs strategically for shade and windbreaks can save 25% of the energy a typical household uses to heat and cool.19 (U.S. Department of Energy)
- Opt for an energy-efficient pool cover - Using a pool cover reduces evaporation and can save 50-70% in pool heating costs.20 (U.S. Department of Energy)
USE THE HEAT BENEATH YOUR FEET: SAVE UP TO 70% ON HEATING AND COOLING
Geothermal heat pumps, also known as ground-source heat pumps, exchange energy with energy stored in the Earth to keep homes comfortable year-round.
Homeowners enjoy significant savings compared to conventional HVAC systems. Be inspired by these geothermal HVAC users* . . .
- Who save 60% on cooling bills.
- Whose average monthly heating/cooling and hot water bill totals $125.
- Whose switch from conventional to geothermal HVAC resulted in average annual savings of nearly $4,000.
* Savings cited are approximate and can vary based on factors such as location, household habits, and specific equipment or conditions.
References
- What is Energy Star? United States Environmental Protection Agency, & United States Department of Energy, energystar.gov
- Why You Should Make the Switch to LED Light Bulbs, Center for Environmental Health, ceh.org
- Energy Efficient Homes: Programmable Thermostats, Mississippi State University Extension, extension.msstate.edu
- Do-It-Yourself Savings Project: Using Caulk to Seal Air Leaks, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov
- Guide to Home Insulation, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov
- Energy Saver 101: Everything You Need to Know About Home Cooling, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov
- Fans Reduce Cooling Costs, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, dnr.louisiana.gov
- How much money do solar panels save in 2024? Energy Sage, energysage.com
- Do-It-Yourself Savings Project: Lower Water Heating Temperature, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov
- Reduce Hot Water Use for Energy Savings, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov
- Do-It-Yourself Savings Project: Insulate Hot Water Pipes, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov
- Using response surface regression method to evaluate the influence of window types on ventilation performance of Hong Kong residential buildings, Science Direct, sciencedirect.com
- Energy Efficient Window Coverings, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov
- How Replacing Your Windows Saves You Money, U.S. Window and Door, uswindow-door.com
- Shocking electric bill? Free changes can help you cut costs, save money, USA Today, usatoday.com
- Reasons to Line dry your clothes to save money on laundry, Six Dollar Family, sixddollarfamily.com
- ENERGY-STAR Qualified Dishwashers, ENERGY-STAR, energystar.gov
- Does using a microwave over a regular oven save energy? ENERGY-STAR, energystar.gov.
- Energy Efficient Landscaping, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov
- Swimming Pool Covers, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov
