Paying less for electricity does not always mean buying new appliances or making a big investment. In many homes, small changes to the heating, the lighting and everyday habits reduce the bill without giving up comfort.
In this guide you will find ten simple steps you can start applying today.
1. Review your electricity plan
Check the price per kilowatt-hour, the capacity you are billed for, any additional charges and the terms of your contract. A plan that works well for one household may not be the best one for the way you use power.
2. Adjust the heating
In winter, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat to around 68 °F (20 °C) when you are home, and adjusting it to suit your needs. Turning the thermostat down a little, when it still feels comfortable, can reduce consumption. See the Department of Energy energy saving guidance for the full recommendations. If you want to know how to program the thermostat and what to set it to at each moment, our guide to what temperature to set the heating to save money walks you through it.
3. Make the most of daylight
Open the blinds during the day and use artificial lighting only where it is needed. Replacing old bulbs with LED bulbs can also help reduce consumption: LED bulbs: power, lumens and how to choose the right one compares lumens, watts and color temperature.
4. Avoid standby power
Televisions, game consoles and other devices can keep drawing electricity while they sit in standby mode. A switched power strip lets you disconnect several devices at once when you are not using them, as long as it is safe to do so.
5. Use the washing machine well
Wash with the right load size and use low temperature programs when the clothing and the detergent allow it. Heating the water usually takes a large share of the energy used in a cycle. Our guide to saving money with the washing machine explains in more detail how to choose the program, the temperature and the load.
6. Keep the refrigerator at the right temperature
As a reference point, ENERGY STAR recommends keeping the refrigerator between 35 and 38 °F (see its refrigerator guidance) and the freezer at 0 °F (see its freezer guidance). Avoid putting hot food inside and check that the doors close properly.
7. Cook with a lid on
Putting a lid on the pot helps keep the heat in and can shorten cooking time. Choose pans that fit the size of your cooktop as well.
8. Improve the insulation
Draft stoppers on doors and windows can reduce the cold air coming in. Closing the blinds at night also helps limit heat loss. If drafts coming through the windows are your main concern, you will also want to read how to insulate windows against the cold without doing any work.
9. Use the air conditioner efficiently
In summer, set a sensible temperature, lower the blinds or shades during the hottest hours of the day and keep the filters clean.
10. Check your consumption
Read your bills and, if your utility gives you access to them, your hourly usage data. Working out when and where you use the most energy lets you decide which changes are worth making. To see which part of the bill depends on you, read how to read your electricity bill and understand what you are paying.
Conclusion
The best strategy is to start with the steps that need no investment and check the results on your bills. Not every household will save the same amount: it depends on your appliances, your insulation, your plan and your habits.
