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.

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. 

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

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