How To Lower Your Energy Bill
You’ve come to the right place if you’d like to know how to lower your energy bill. Lowering the energy consumption in your home will save you money and reduce indoor air pollution.
Fortunately, there are several ways to lower your energy bill and save money no matter where you live. Sure, everyone knows that switching off lights when the room isn’t occupied and keeping your heating to a minimum can help lower the energy bill. But there are a couple more ways how to reduce your energy bill.
Everyone is always looking for strategies to lower energy bills. You know, the tips and tricks that are easy to implement and actually work.
One of the easiest ways to save money is right there in your house. Yep, we’re talking about your energy consumption. We need the energy to power our homes, but we hate paying for it.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to lower your energy bill so you can save money. This guide contains some of the simplest ways to reduce your energy bill.
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How to Lower Your Energy Bill
Every home and family has different energy consumption levels. Let’s assume you live in a two-bedroom apartment. You’ll most likely have a refrigerator, stove, and an HVAC system in this apartment. You probably have a television, microwave, and dishwasher if you’re fortunate.
If you live in a 3,500-square-foot, four-bedroom apartment, there are a lot of factors that add to your energy bill. For starters, consider the extra space, including heating, cooling, and added lighting. It’s also likely that you use more home appliances daily. So your energy bill could be double that of the two-bedroom apartment.
This is why the average American can spend more than $1300 per year on their energy bill, accounting for 5% to 10% of their income.
So if you don’t have a lot of time to make changes on how to lower your energy bill, you can try these tips. Each one requires little effort to do in less time. Let’s Jump in!
| How to lower your energy bill in… | How to |
| Kitchen | – raise fridge temperature – turn off and unplug small appliances – run dishwasher when full, in evening |
| Laundry | – clean dryer exhaust – do laundry at night – wash with cold water |
| Lighting | – use LED bulbs – use a dimmer |
| Heating & cooling | – change your air filters – service HVAC system – use fans |
Kitchen Tips
Kitchen appliances are the biggest culprits behind high energy bills. And the best way to look into lowering our energy bill.
1. Raise the Temperature of Your Refrigerator
Increasing the temperature of your refrigerator by a few degrees can lower your energy bill and save you money. Most refrigerators can be reduced to at least five degrees less than normal. For example, your refrigerator’s fresh food compartment only needs to be adjusted to 36 – 38 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also set the freezer section to zero and five degrees.
2. Turn Off and Unplug Your Coffee Machine
Turning off and unplugging your coffee machines when not in use will help you save money on your energy bill. Like various other kitchen appliances, coffee machines often have features that run continuously, for example, the clock and timer.
This means that it consumes energy in the background even if it’s turned off. Turning off and unplugging it will stop this from happening altogether.
3. Use Dishwasher Instead of Hand Washing
Using a dishwasher instead of hand washing is one way to lower your energy bill. Hand washing dishes uses double the amount of water compared to using a dishwasher.
According to the California Energy Commission, using a dishwasher to clean your whole load can save you roughly 5,000 gallons of water and $40 annually, resulting in a lower energy bill.
4. Use the Dishwasher in the Evening
Using your dishwasher during the day raises your energy usage, particularly during peak hours. Instead, if you use it in the evening, it helps lower your energy bill. In addition, it reduces carbon footprint. However, it depends on the type of dishwasher you own.
5. Fill Up Your Dishwasher
Washing a whole load saves you water, and it’s a great way to lower your energy bill. Because your dishwasher is full, you won’t need to run it twice, and the water-to-dish ratio will be lower.
6. Maintain a Fully-Stocked Refrigerator
This tip is great for how to lower your energy bill. When your refrigerator is full, it requires less energy to be cold. This is because food acts as insulation, reducing the time it takes for the fridge to cool. It also aids in maintaining an optimal internal temperature while using less energy.
If your refrigerator isn’t full, you can fill the gaps with ice bags. This way, your refrigerator temperature is regulated, and energy is used efficiently.
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7. Allow Your Food to Defrost
If you defrost your food before cooking it, it will take less time to cook. As a result, it will use less energy to cook, lowering your energy bill.
8. When Cooking, Keep the Lid On
This may seem like an easy way to reduce your energy bill, yet it is sometimes overlooked. Lids prevent water vapor from escaping while cooking, preventing heat loss. This will shorten your cooking time, lowering your energy bill.
9. Do Not Use a Broiler
A broiler consumes a lot of energy in a short period. Set the temperature ahead of time instead to reduce the energy consumed by the broiler. This will increase the efficiency of the boiler and reduce your energy bill.
10. Keep Your Refrigerator’s Coils Clean
This may appear to be a time-consuming way of lowering your energy bill. However, keeping your refrigerator coils clean might reduce your energy bill by 35%. Identify the refrigerator coils and wash away any dust.
11. Keep Your Oven Shut
Every time the door is left open during cooking, the temperature inside the oven drops by at least 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
As a result, the oven will use more energy to maintain an optimum temperature. Instead, you can peep through the window and use the oven’s light instead of opening the door to lower your energy bill.
12. Schedule a Routine Replacement of Kitchen Faucet Aerator
Aerators are little devices that are installed in kitchen sinks. They can help you use less water in a fraction of the time it takes to wash dishes. You can cut your energy bill by 40% by installing or replacing your old kitchen faucet aerator with a better one.
13. Let Your Dishes Air Dry
This tip is great for how to lower your energy bill. Choose air drying or overheat drying your load in your dishwasher. You can open a window and set your dishes on the counter to dry. Air drying your dishes can reduce your energy bill by 15% to 50%.
Laundry Tips
Doing laundry might be one of your favorite Sunday chores, but unfortunately, it consumes a great deal of energy. Because most of us do a few loads of laundry at least once a week, it’s worth trying these energy-saving tips.
1. Keep the Dryer Exhaust Clean
To avoid lint buildup, make sure you clean your dryer exhaust regularly. Lint can reduce airflow through the exhaust duct, reducing dryer efficiency.
Remove any lint from the dryer exhaust with a lint remover at least once a month. This allows your dryer to function more efficiently and lowers your energy bill.
2. Do Your Laundry at Night
Avoid doing laundry during the day, particularly during peak times. Energy consumption is typically higher between 6am, and 10 am. Therefore, doing your laundry at night can lower your energy bill.
3. Use Cold Water to Wash Your Clothes
The temperature you wash your clothes makes no difference because your clothes will still be clean. Washing machines have superior technology to wash your clothing thoroughly, even in cold water.
Furthermore, using cold water in your washing machine can save up to 90% of the energy that would otherwise be used to heat the water. If you’re concerned that clean water won’t do an excellent job of cleaning your clothes, you can use a cold water detergent.
4. Air Dry Your Clothes
Simply drying your clothes on the line is one of the most effective solutions when determining how to lower your energy bill. It saves energy and is especially beneficial when drying more oversized items like blankets.
Smaller, quick-drying clothing can also be hung to dry. Line drying can save you up to $1.08 every load, which can help you save money on your energy bill.
Lighting Tips
Lighting accounts for almost 15% of the energy bill. Luckily, there are different tips you can try to lower your energy bill without turning off all your lights in your home.
1. Replace Light Bulbs with LEDs
According to the US Department of Energy, replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs reduces energy use by 75%. It is also lower than the cost of incandescent light bulbs. They also cost four times less than incandescent light bulbs and last four times as long.
2. Install a Dimmer
This tip is great for how to lower your energy bill. Using a light dimmer lowers wattage, which helps reduce your energy bill. You can use an app to control your dimmer lights, which gives you more ways to adjust your lights from anywhere. Make sure you get bulbs compatible with dimmer switches.
Windows Tips
Making changes regarding your windows is one of the main ways renters and homeowners learn how to lower their energy bills. Here are some tips to try:
1. Block Out Heat Using Window Shades
Use window shades or install a tinted window film during warmer seasons and peak hours to block out heat that comes through the windows. Blocking your windows in summer can help reduce heat penetration by 77%. This means you won’t need an air conditioner to reduce the heat in your home, reducing your energy bill.
2. Keep Your Windows Clean
Cleaning your windows and removing dirt allows more sunlight to enter, especially during colder seasons. This can naturally heat your home instead of using a heater, increasing your energy bill.
Natural heat can raise indoor temperatures by 70% without using a heater, lowering your energy bill.
Heating and Cooling Tips
Energy consumption from cooling and heating can increase your energy bills, especially if you live in an area with fluctuating temperatures. There is no way to control the temperature, but you can manage how much energy you use in your home with these tips.
1. Adjust the Temperature of Your Thermostat
Increase your thermostat temperature in colder months and decrease it in warmer months. The recommended temperature should be between 7°-10°F from the standard setting. You can change the temperature before you leave your house. This way, it can lower your energy bill and save you up to 10% annually on heating and cooling.
2. Regulate Your Thermostat Temperature
Next on how to lower your energy bill, up your thermostat temperature during winter and decrease it in warmer seasons. The recommended temperature should be between 7°-10°F from the standard setting for 8 hours a day. You can adjust the temperature before you leave for work. This way, it can lower your energy bill and save you up to 10% annually on heating and cooling.
3. Replace Your HVAC Filters
Most people overlook the importance of an HVAC filter. However, if you peek at your vents, you’ll discover that dust and debris have accumulated. This is a clear sign that you need to replace your HVAC filter. You can buy HVAC filters to increase airflow by capturing and removing all dirt particles.
4. Examine your HVAC System
Check your HVAC system regularly to ensure it’s working correctly. If it isn’t, you can contact HVAC professionals to help you fix any problems or look into replacement options.
5. Install Ceiling Fans
This tip is great for how to lower your energy bill. Ceiling fans can help lower your temperature during winter instead of using a central air conditioner. According to the US National Resource Defense Council, ceiling fans manage the temperature in warmer seasons while using only 10% of the energy. This helps your energy bill.
6. Rearrange your Furniture
Finally on how to lower your energy bill, it might sound like such a simple way to lower your energy bill, but it helps. Moving your furniture around can help improve cooling in your home.
For example, your couch may be blocking the air duct, and repositioning it can help improve airflow. When you’re unable to feel the blowing through the vent, you will want to change the temperature on your thermostat unnecessarily. Moving the furniture away from the vent will help reduce energy use and cut costs.
How to Lower Your Energy Bill Conclusion
There are different ways to lower your energy bill no matter where you live. By simply re-evaluating how you use your energy inside your home, you can save a hundred dollars.
Try out our tips if you want to know how to lower your energy bill. In addition, it will also help you reduce your carbon footprint.
FAQ’s about How to Lower Your Energy Bill
Can My Energy Bill Affect My Credit Score?
Energy bills are not typically reported to the credit bureaus. However, suppose you fall behind on your energy bill payments. In that case, the utility company can turn it over to the credit bureaus. So your energy bill history could be on your credit report and eventually affect your credit score.
What Is Energy Efficiency?
It is commonly confused with energy conservation. However, it is an entirely different process. Energy efficiency refers to the process of reducing energy use. It involves using technology to reduce energy waste when doing day-to-day activities. It all comes down to making good decisions to lower energy consumption in your home or office.
What Appliances Use More Energy in My Home?
Your HVAC system consumes the most energy in your home. It accounts for almost 45% of the average energy consumption in any household. The average HVAC system uses roughly 3500 watts and continuously runs two to three times every hour. As a result, your HVAC system can use up almost 28 to 63 kWh in a day, resulting in monthly average energy consumption of 850 to 1,950 kWh.
Does Unplugging Appliances Lower Energy Bill?
According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% monthly if you unplug your household appliance when not in use. Your household appliances still consume energy even if switched off but still plugged in even if the appliance is on standby. For example, if you place your computer on sleep mode.
Which Times and Seasons Have Peak Energy Consumption?
The amount of energy used is affected by different factors, but primarily the temperature. Most energy is consumed during summer and winter, from 5 am. People are getting ready to go to work and school in the early morning, so they typically turn on the hot water or coffee maker. Add on the turning on of the heater. These actions all add to the high energy consumption.
Are LED Light Bulbs Worth It?
Yes, LED light bulbs can consume up to 75% less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs. On average, it can last up to 25 times longer and save you almost $1000 over ten years. In addition, they also come in different color temperatures, including green and blue undertones, perfect for accent lighting.
What Are the Steps I Can Take To Make My Home More Energy Efficient?
You can gather information on how much energy your home consumes, for starters. You can get this information by checking your energy bill. Compare your energy consumption levels from the last twelve months. Next, you can try the energy-saving tips we recommended.
How Long Does a Home Energy Assessment Take?
Most companies that do home energy assessments are complete in two hours. As soon as you schedule an appointment, an energy consultant will come to your home and provide some recommendations on how to lower your energy bills. The specialist will create a comprehensive energy-saving plan to lower your energy consumption in your home.
How Long Do LED Bulbs Last Compared to Incandescent Bulbs?
According to the US Department of Energy, LEDs have a lifespan of 25 times more than incandescent light bulbs. In comparison, LED bulbs can last 50,000 hours, while incandescent bulbs only last a few hours. However, longevity varies depending on several factors, including the level of consumption.
Is Gas Cooking More Energy Efficient Than Electric Cooking?
No, electric cooking saves more energy than gas cooking. This is because food cooked on an electric stove absorbs more heat than food cooked on a gas stove. Electric stoves also heat up faster than gas stoves. So, while a gas stove is less expensive than an electric stove, electric stoves are more energy efficient.
