Cut Your Electric Bill by up to 90% 5 Simple Hacks

Even before the recent rise in inflation and gas prices, electricity providers across the country had been steadily – and often not subtly – raising their rates to keep your house turned on. Now with everything under the sun going up in price, the cost of each tier of your power usage will inevitably increase as well.

The cost of electricity varies by state, with average bills ranging from $78.13 in Utah to $191.01 in Hawaii. So, even if you’re on the low end of the scale and your bill didn’t nearly double from last year, it’s safe to say that you’re looking for ways to save.

Here are five simple tricks you can employ at home to reduce your average electric bill starting today.

1. Turn off the Lights (And Everything Else)

Absolutely! Turning off lights and other electrical devices when not in use is a fundamental and effective way to save electricity and reduce your energy bills. Here are some tips for incorporating this practice into your daily routine:

Light Awareness: Develop a habit of turning off lights when you leave a room. Encourage household members to do the same. Remember to switch off lights in less frequently used areas like closets or storage spaces.
Natural Lighting: Make the most of natural light during the day by opening curtains, blinds, or shades. Utilize the available daylight to illuminate your home instead of relying on artificial lighting.

Energy-Efficient Lighting: Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED or CFL bulbs. They consume significantly less energy, last longer, and can help reduce lighting costs.
Task Lighting: Use task-specific lighting, such as desk lamps or reading lights, instead of illuminating the entire room. This way, you can focus light where you need it most, minimizing unnecessary energy use.
Motion Sensors or Timers: Install motion sensors or timers in areas where lights are frequently left on unintentionally, such as hallways, bathrooms, or outdoor spaces. These devices automatically turn off lights after a specified period of inactivity.

Unplug Unused Electronics: Many electronics and appliances continue to draw power even when turned off. Unplug devices like chargers, gaming consoles, coffee makers, and other electronics when not in use or use power strips with on/off switches to cut off power completely.
Standby Power Awareness: Be mindful of devices in standby mode, such as TVs, computers, or game consoles. These devices consume energy even when not actively in use. Consider fully powering them down when not needed for an extended period.
Energy-Saving Settings: Take advantage of energy-saving settings on electronics and appliances. For example, adjust your computer and monitor to enter sleep or power-saving mode after a certain period of inactivity.

Educate Household Members: Raise awareness among family members or roommates about the importance of turning off lights and electrical devices. Encourage everyone to take responsibility for their energy usage and make it a collective effort.
Smart Home Automation: Consider using smart home systems or devices that allow you to control and monitor your lights and other electrical devices remotely. This way, you can easily turn them off even when you’re away from home.

Remember, being conscious of your energy consumption and diligently turning off lights and other electrical devices when not needed can lead to significant energy savings and lower electricity bills. It’s a simple and impactful step towards promoting energy efficiency in your home.

2. Take Shorter Showers

Taking shorter showers is a simple yet effective way to conserve water and reduce your overall energy consumption. While it may not directly cut your electric bill by 90%, it can contribute to overall energy savings in certain cases. Here’s how shorter showers can help:

Reduced Water Heating: If your hot water is heated by an electric water heater, taking shorter showers means less hot water is consumed, resulting in lower energy usage to heat the water. This can lead to some savings on your electric bill.
Water Pumping: In some cases, water is pumped from a well or a storage tank using electric pumps. By taking shorter showers and reducing water usage, you can minimize the energy needed to pump and distribute water throughout your home.

Conservation Mindset: Practicing shorter showers can cultivate a conservation mindset, prompting you to be mindful of your overall energy and water usage. This awareness can extend to other areas of your daily routines, leading to more energy-saving habits throughout your home.

To maximize the energy-saving benefits of shorter showers, consider these additional tips:

Install low-flow showerheads or aerators that reduce water flow while maintaining adequate water pressure, further reducing water and energy usage.

Turn off the water when soaping up or shampooing, and only turn it on when needed to rinse.
Take advantage of colder water or cooler shower temperatures when it is comfortable for you, as less energy is required to heat the water.

While taking shorter showers alone may not achieve a 90% reduction in your electric bill, it is a small step that, when combined with other energy-saving practices, can contribute to your overall energy conservation efforts and help lower your electricity costs.

3. Cut Back on Air Conditioner Usage

Cutting back on air conditioner usage is an effective way to reduce electricity costs, especially during hot summer months. Air conditioning can be a significant contributor to high energy bills, so here are some tips to help you minimize your air conditioner usage and save on electricity:

Use Natural Ventilation: Take advantage of cooler mornings and evenings by opening windows and allowing fresh air to circulate through your home. Use fans to enhance natural ventilation and create a cooling breeze.
Set Higher Temperature: Raise the temperature setting on your air conditioner to a comfortable yet energy-saving level. Every degree you increase can lead to notable energy savings. Aim for a temperature of around 24-26°C (75-78°F) to strike a balance between comfort and energy efficiency.

Use Programmable Thermostats: Install a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule. This ensures the air conditioner runs less when you’re away from home or during cooler times of the day.
Utilize Ceiling Fans: Run ceiling fans in conjunction with your air conditioner to help distribute cool air more effectively. Ceiling fans create a wind-chill effect, allowing you to set the air conditioner temperature slightly higher without sacrificing comfort.
Maintain and Clean Your Air Conditioner: Regularly clean or replace air filters to ensure proper airflow and efficiency. Keep the outdoor unit free from debris and vegetation to optimize its performance.

Close Curtains and Shades: During the hottest parts of the day, close curtains, blinds, or shades on windows exposed to direct sunlight. This helps block out heat and keeps your home cooler naturally.
Use Energy-Saving Modes: If your air conditioner has energy-saving or eco-mode settings, use them. These modes adjust the cooling output to conserve energy without compromising comfort.
Properly Seal and Insulate: Ensure that doors and windows are properly sealed to prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering your home. Proper insulation helps maintain a more comfortable indoor temperature.

Limit Heat-Generating Activities: Minimize heat-generating activities like cooking on stovetops or using ovens during the hottest parts of the day. Opt for alternative cooking methods like grilling or using smaller appliances that produce less heat.
Create Shade: Use outdoor shading techniques, such as awnings, shades, or plantings, to reduce direct sunlight exposure to windows and the exterior of your home. This can help keep your home cooler and reduce the need for excessive air conditioning.

By implementing these practices, you can significantly reduce your reliance on air conditioning, conserve energy, and lower your electricity costs. Remember, even small adjustments to your air conditioner usage can make a difference when combined with other energy-saving habits.

4. Install a Smart Thermostat

Installing a smart thermostat is an excellent step towards reducing electricity costs and optimizing your home’s heating and cooling efficiency. Here’s how a smart thermostat can help:

Temperature Scheduling: Smart thermostats allow you to create customized temperature schedules based on your daily routines. You can program the thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature when you’re away from home or asleep, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Remote Control and Monitoring: Many smart thermostats can be controlled remotely through smartphone apps. This means you can adjust the temperature even when you’re not at home, ensuring that you’re not wasting energy cooling or heating an empty house.

Learning Capabilities: Some smart thermostats have learning capabilities that adapt to your preferences and behaviors over time. They can analyze your patterns and make automatic temperature adjustments accordingly, optimizing energy usage without sacrificing comfort.
Energy Usage Insights: Smart thermostats provide valuable insights into your energy usage. They can show you detailed reports and data on how much energy you’re consuming, helping you identify areas for potential savings and make informed decisions about adjusting temperature settings.
Geofencing and Occupancy Detection: Smart thermostats often utilize geofencing technology or occupancy sensors to detect when you’re leaving or returning home. This allows them to adjust the temperature accordingly, ensuring comfort when you’re present and saving energy when you’re away.

Integration with Smart Home Systems: Smart thermostats can integrate with other smart home devices and systems. For example, they can communicate with smart lighting systems, blinds, or sensors to optimize energy usage throughout your home.
Weather Forecast Integration: Some smart thermostats can access weather forecasts and adjust temperature settings accordingly. If it’s going to be a particularly hot or cold day, the thermostat can preemptively adjust the temperature to maintain comfort without unnecessary energy use.
Energy Efficiency Tips: Smart thermostats often provide energy-saving tips and recommendations based on your usage patterns. These suggestions can help you further optimize your energy consumption and reduce costs.

By installing a smart thermostat and utilizing its features effectively, you can achieve better control over your home’s temperature, reduce energy waste, and ultimately lower your electricity bills. Additionally, the convenience and flexibility offered by smart thermostats make them a valuable addition to any energy-efficient home.

5. Keep Sunlight Outside Your Home

Keeping sunlight outside your home can help reduce the heat gain and subsequent cooling needs, leading to energy savings. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Window Treatments: Install blinds, curtains, or shades on windows to block or reduce direct sunlight. Choose light-colored or reflective materials that can reflect sunlight back outside. Close the window treatments during the hottest parts of the day to minimize heat gain.

Window Films: Apply window films or tinting to windows to reduce the amount of heat and UV rays entering your home. Window films can block a significant portion of solar heat while still allowing natural light to come through.
Exterior Shading: Utilize external shading options like awnings, pergolas, or exterior blinds to prevent direct sunlight from reaching windows and heating up your home. These shading solutions can effectively reduce solar heat gain and keep your home cooler.
Plant Trees and Shrubs: Planting trees strategically around your home can provide natural shade and help block sunlight. Deciduous trees are particularly useful as they can shade your home in the summer while allowing sunlight through during the winter when they lose their leaves.

Window Design and Orientation: If you’re building or renovating, consider the design and orientation of windows. Opt for windows with low-emissivity (low-E) coatings or double-glazing to reduce heat transfer. Orienting windows to minimize direct sunlight exposure can also help in keeping your home cooler.
Reflective Roofing: If you’re planning to replace or upgrade your roof, consider using reflective materials or coatings. Reflective roofing can reflect a significant amount of solar radiation, reducing the heat absorbed by your home.
Sealing and Insulation: Ensure that your windows, doors, and walls are properly sealed and insulated. Good insulation can prevent heat from entering your home, reducing the need for cooling.

Outdoor Shading Structures: Create outdoor living spaces with shading structures like pergolas or gazebos. This can provide outdoor comfort while keeping direct sunlight away from your home’s windows and walls.

By implementing these strategies, you can limit the amount of sunlight and heat entering your home, which can help reduce your reliance on air conditioning and lower your electricity costs. Additionally, it enhances the comfort of your living spaces, particularly during hot summer months.

Bonus Hacks

Certainly! Here are some bonus hacks to further reduce your electricity costs:

Energy-Efficient Appliances: When purchasing new appliances, look for those with high energy efficiency ratings. Energy-efficient models consume less power and can result in significant long-term savings on your electricity bills.
Power Strips and Smart Plugs: Use power strips or smart plugs to easily turn off multiple devices at once. This prevents standby power consumption, also known as vampire power, which occurs when devices continue to draw small amounts of power even when not in use.

Energy-Saving Settings on Electronics: Take advantage of energy-saving settings on your electronics, such as computers, televisions, and gaming consoles. Enable features like sleep mode or power management settings to reduce energy consumption during idle periods.
Efficient Lighting: Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED or CFL bulbs. LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy and last much longer, resulting in substantial cost savings over time.
Energy Audits: Consider getting a professional energy audit of your home. Energy auditors can identify energy inefficiencies, insulation gaps, and other areas for improvement, helping you prioritize and make targeted energy-saving upgrades.

Weatherproofing: Seal air leaks and insulate your home to prevent drafts and temperature exchange. Caulk gaps around windows and doors, install weatherstripping, and insulate your attic, walls, and pipes to reduce heating and cooling needs.
Optimal Fridge and Freezer Usage: Set your refrigerator and freezer temperatures to recommended levels and avoid overfilling them. Allow hot foods to cool down before placing them in the fridge, and regularly clean and maintain the coils for optimal efficiency.
Dry Clothes Efficiently: Air-drying your clothes is the most energy-efficient option, but if you use a dryer, clean the lint filter after every load for improved airflow and shorter drying times. Dry similar fabrics together to ensure efficient drying.

Energy-Saving Showerheads: Install low-flow showerheads to reduce water consumption while maintaining good water pressure. This saves both water and the energy required to heat the water.
Community Sharing: Consider sharing or borrowing rarely used items with neighbors or friends. This reduces the need for everyone to individually own and power rarely used appliances, tools, or equipment.

Remember, every small change can add up to significant energy savings over time. By adopting these bonus hacks and combining them with the previous tips, you can effectively reduce your electricity costs and contribute to a more sustainable and energy-efficient lifestyle.