Did you know the average monthly electric bill was $144 in 2024? That is more than $1,700 a year. It is relatively easy to save money each month and reduce your energy consumption by paying closer attention to your everyday tasks and routine.
We have created a list of twenty simple ways you can audit your home and address the obvious and not-so obvious things that are costing you big dollars.
- Unplug appliances that you’re not using regularly. According to the US Department of Energy, unused appliances that are plugged in can account for five to ten percent of residential energy which could add up to $100 or more a year to a homeowner’s energy bill. Go into each room of your home and assess what items can be unplugged: toaster, coffee maker, cable box or lamps in a guest bedroom, game console, speaker.
- Use less hot water. This doesn’t mean swapping your daily shower for a cold plunge; however, you can opt to turning down the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees versus the (typical) preset 140 degrees. Also consider washing your clothes in cold water. Most detergents are designed to clean at the temp of the average cold water tap temperature.
- Replace your showerhead if you are not using an energy efficient head.
- Check to see if you need a dishwasher upgrade. Older dishwashers use about 16 gallons per load but newer dishwashers use only six gallons per load.
- Opt out of the heat-dry cycle on your dishwasher. Instead, open the dishwasher door and let your dishes air-dry. According to the California Energy Commission, air drying plates can reduce your dishwasher’s energy use by 15 to 50 percent.
- Commit to only running appliances when they are full. This means waiting to run the dishwasher and opting to not wash a few articles of clothing in a small load.
- Did you know that more than half of your energy bill is for heating and air conditioning your home? Use a programmable thermostat that sticks to a schedule of preferred temperatures only. If you have an older HVAC system, adjust the thermostat when you leave and return home.
- Open your blinds and use natural light and close some blinds to avoid temps from becoming uncomfortable indoors.
- In the summer, close your garage door. Hot air that enters the house from the garage can force your AC to work harder, which strains your system.
- Change your air filters every 60 to 90 days. Clogged filters make your home dustier but also force your appliances to work harder.
- Use a fan instead of changing the temperature on the thermostat. A fan typically uses 10 percent of the energy a central air conditioner uses and can make a room feel 10 degrees cooler.
- Switch to LED lighting. LED bulbs last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting and save energy.
- If you’re heating or cooking, consider using your microwave, toaster oven, or air fryer. These appliances use substantially less electricity than the oven.
- Consider using a power strip or smaller outlet so you can easily turn off items when you’re not home.
- Empty the lint trap in your dryer. Having a clean lint trap will prevent the dryer from having to work harder to dry your clothes and it will also extend the life of the appliance.
- Consider hanging your garments instead of running them through the dryer. You can always opt to soften clothes on low for five to ten minutes once they’ve air dried.
- Insulate attics and walls—or check when you’re buying a home. A properly insulated attic and walls can save you big money on your energy bills.
- If you have a fireplace, close the flue damper tight or leave it cracked if it is a standing pilot light when the fireplace is in use.
- Replace cracked or peeling caulk or weather stripping around windows can save up to 10 percent of energy use.
- Set your fridge to 37 degrees and your freezer to 0 degrees. Your food will stay fresh but your fridge and freezer won’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature.
Remember, this is a list that you can check off over time. Make a goal to accomplish five of these suggestions by next month, five more the next month, and so on. Over time, you’ll reduce your energy consumption and save money.