Home Improvement Skills & Specialties Electrical

46 Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill

Light switch being pressed to turn off kitchen lights and lower electricity bill

The Spruce / Nelly Cuanalo

Utility bills can become significantly higher during the summer and winter and become a major cost each month. Though costs widely vary depending on where you live, the average monthly electricity bill for residential customers in the United States rose from $121 a month in 2021 to $137 a month in 2022, which is an increase of 13 percent in one year. Luckily there are simple, affordable ways to decrease the cost of your electric bill each month for year-round savings.

Begin by contacting your electric company to see if they can do an energy audit to figure out where most of your energy usage is coming from. Then look at adopting some of the most popular ideas to save on energy costs, such as turning down the thermostat, installing energy-efficient appliances, using fans to supplement air conditioning or heat, swapping for LED light bulbs, and using cold water for laundry.

Below, learn how to lower your electric bill with 46 tips for a more energy-efficient home.

  • 01 of 46

    Get an Energy Audit

    Outdoor energy meter being audited to lower electricity bill

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    Many utility companies offer a free home energy audit to customers, and it is well worth taking advantage of. If there is no such program in your area, conduct your own energy audit instead. It will clue you into areas where you could trim your energy use.

  • 02 of 46

    Turn Down Your Thermostat at Night

    Using a thermostat

    Grace Cary / Getty Images

    Grab an extra blanket and turn down the temperature in your home in the winter before bedtime to save on your electric bill. The concept of heat transference is the key: The lower the temperature inside your home, the more slowly you will lose heat to the outdoors because the furnace will not need to run as often. You can save about 10 percent a year on energy costs by turning down the temperature 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit from its normal setting for 8 hours a night.

  • 03 of 46

    Install Dimmer Switches

    Light switch next to dimmer switch on white wall to lower electric bill

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    The key to saving energy is within reach. Switch to dimmer switches, so you only use as much light as you need.

  • 04 of 46

    Keep Your Fridge and Freezer Full

    Freezer full of frozen foods and containers to lower electric bill

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    Everyone always tells you to keep the fridge closed. But did you know that keeping your fridge and freezer full can also save money? Food acts as insulation and lessens the amount of time that the fridge has to run to stay cool.

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  • 05 of 46

    Install Ceiling Fans

    Ceiling fan in house to lower electricity bill

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    Keep the air circulating in your home with ceiling fans so your air conditioner does not have to work as hard. The moving air helps keep your skin feel cooler in the summer.

  • 06 of 46

    Line Dry Your Laundry

    White sheets and towels being line dried to lower electricity bill

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    Set up a clothesline in your backyard, and let Mother Nature dry your laundry. If this is not an option, consider hanging clothes on a drying rack or shower rod. If you do not like line-drying due to the way the clothes feel, learn how to keep line-dried clothes from getting stiff.

  • 07 of 46

    Unplug Electronics and Appliances

    Phone charger plugged into wall creating phantom charge

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    A shocking 75 percent of the energy used by home electronics is consumed when they are turned off. Phantom loads of electric usage come from televisions, stereos, computers, and many kitchen appliances—basically anything that holds a time or other settings. A simple solution is to plug all of these items into power strips and get in the habit of turning off the strips between uses.

  • 08 of 46

    Install an Attic Fan

    Attic fan from the roof exterior

    Gazebo / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    An attic fan will pull cool air into your home and help to remove the hot air.

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  • 09 of 46

    Shield Your Home From the Sun

    Window blinds being pulled down to lower electric bill

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    Cut down on your air conditioning use by closing curtains and blinds on the sunny side of your home. For even more savings, consider installing tinted window film.

  • 10 of 46

    Schedule Yearly HVAC Maintenance

    Yearly HVAC maintenance written in calendar to lower electric bill

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    Increase the efficiency of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system by having it inspected and cleaned once a year. As a bonus, you will also have cleaner air circulating in your home.

  • 11 of 46

    Change HVAC Filters Monthly

    HVAC air filters stacked on each other to help lower electric bill

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    Keep your HVAC system running at peak efficiency by changing the filter every 30 days. Set a reminder on your phone, so you do not forget.

  • 12 of 46

    Switch to LED Lighting

    LED light bulb being inserted into gray lamp to lower electric bill

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    Switch to LED light bulbs and use 90 percent less energy than when you use incandescent bulbs. Switch out the most widely used bulbs in your home. Then, replace the rest as they burn out.

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  • 13 of 46

    Landscape for Shade

    Tree shade

    Spaces Images / Getty Images

    Plant trees to shade your home, and your air conditioning will not have to work as hard.

  • 14 of 46

    Turn Off Heat Dry on Your Dishwasher

    Dishwasher
    Donald Iain Smith / Getty Images

    Most of the energy consumed by your dishwasher goes to heating water. Turn off the heat dry feature, and you will minimize the energy drain.

  • 15 of 46

    Lower the Temperature on Your Hot Water Heater

    Hot water boiler

    mumininan / Getty Images

    Thirteen percent of your home's electricity goes to heating water. You can lower this percentage, by setting your water heater to 130 to 140 degrees. For even more savings, install an insulation jacket, and insulate the first 6 feet of piping that comes off of your heater. Learn more ways to save on your water heating bill.

  • 16 of 46

    Take Advantage of Off-Peak Rates

    Father carrying laundry basket in child
    Hero Images / Getty Images

    Does your town offer cheaper electric rates during off-peak hours? If so, this is a great time to wash laundry, heat water, and run the dishwasher and it's an ideal way to save money if you work from home.

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  • 17 of 46

    Upgrade to Energy Star Appliances

    Young family shopping for stoves in appliance store
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    If your appliances are 10 years old or older, consider replacing them with new, Energy Star models. Energy Star-certified appliances use considerably less energy.

  • 18 of 46

    Wash Laundry in Cold Water

    Laundry machine switched to cold water to lower electric bill

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    Ninety percent of the energy consumed by your washing machine goes to heating water. Turn the dial to cold, and skip the bill.

  • 19 of 46

    Only Wash Full Loads

    Piles of laundry

     

    Martin Poole / Getty Images

    Your washing machine and dishwasher use a lot of electricity. Minimize the drain by only washing full loads.

  • 20 of 46

    Install Low-Flow Showerheads

    Woman replacing shower head with eco-friendly low-flow shower head, DIY
    Hero Images / Getty Images

    If you install low-flow showerheads, that means less water flowing, which equals less water to heat.

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  • 21 of 46

    Get a Programmable Thermostat

    Programmable thermostat being adjusted to lower electric bill

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    Set a programmable thermostat to run less when you are at work and when you are sleeping.

  • 22 of 46

    Pile on the Blankets

    Multiple blankets folded on bed to lower electric bill

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    An extra blanket on your bed in the winter months is often all it takes to push back the thermostat another couple degrees and cut your heating costs.

  • 23 of 46

    Clean Your Dryer Lint Trap

    Dryer lint being removed from trap to lower electric bill

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    Remove the dryer lint from your dryer's trap after each load to maximize the machine's efficiency. Then, scrub it down with soapy water and a brush once every couple of months to remove any additional lint trapped in the screen.

  • 24 of 46

    Use Dryer Balls

    Dryer balls next to folded clothing and wicker basket

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    Toss dryer balls into the dryer with your clothes to speed up drying time.

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  • 25 of 46

    Install a Tankless Hot Water Heater

    Tankless hot water system in the basement of a Green Technology Home
    Mark Hunt / Getty Images

    The next time you need to replace your water heater, consider going with a tankless model (also known as an on-demand hot water heater). They can cut your hot water energy cost by half.

  • 26 of 46

    Insulate Behind Electrical Outlets and Switches

    Electrical outlet being removed to insert insulate

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    Pick up a package of electrical outlet sealers and place one behind all of the outlets and switches in your home.

  • 27 of 46

    Install Storm Doors

    Storm doors

    Adrian Peacock / Getty Images

    Storm doors are a great way to prevent energy loss. Install one on all of your exterior doors.

  • 28 of 46

    Clean Your Refrigerator's Coils

    Cleaning refrigerator coils

    Russell Sadur / Getty Images

    When your refrigerator has dirty condenser coils it has to work harder to cool your foods. Perform maintenance on your refrigerator and freezer once every three months to optimize its efficiency.

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  • 29 of 46

    Turn Your Stove and Oven Off Early

    Oven turned off early to lower electric bill

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    Turn the stove or oven off a few minutes before your food is done and let the built-up heat finish the job for you.

  • 30 of 46

    Install Motion Sensors

    Front porch light

    chandlerphoto / Getty Images

    Motion sensors can be installed both inside and outside the home to ensure that lights only come on when they are needed.

  • 31 of 46

    Use Smart Strips

    Smart strip with multiple chargers next to houseplant

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    Replace your regular surge protectors with Smart Strip surge protectors, which automatically turn off power to plugs that are not in use. Then, say goodbye to phantom energy use.

  • 32 of 46

    Install a Water Heater Timer

    Water boiler

    Image Source / Getty Images

    Traditional water heaters heat water throughout the day—whether you need it or not. Install a water heater timer, and set yours to run just when you need it. How much will this save? Expect to see a 5 to 12 percent reduction in your water heater's energy costs.

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  • 33 of 46

    Replace Regular Night Lights With LED

    Reading LED light

    Teresa Short / Getty Images

    LED night lights cost less than 25 cents a year to run and are guaranteed to last a lifetime.

  • 34 of 46

    Switch to Solar Lights Outdoors

    Outdoor solar lights in grass near tree trunk base

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    Harness the power of the sun by using solar lights for all of your outdoor needs. They absorb the sun's energy during the day and run for free at night—a real bargain.

  • 35 of 46

    Cover Up Your Foods

    Uncovered food

    gerenme / Getty Images

    Do not put uncovered foods or drinks in the refrigerator. Condensation makes the fridge work harder and costs you more money.

  • 36 of 46

    Cool Down Food Before Putting It in the Fridge

    Dinner

    Hinterhaus Productions / Getty Images

    Placing hot foods in your fridge will increase the interior temperature and cause your refrigerator to work harder.

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  • 37 of 46

    Keep Your Second Refrigerator in the Basement, Not the Garage

    Home garage

    Andrew Hetherington / Getty Images

    The extreme temperatures in your garage—hot in the summer and cold in the winter—will cause your refrigerator to work harder; so if you have a choice, place your second refrigerator (or freezer) in the basement, where the temperature is more constant.

  • 38 of 46

    Cook With the Lids On

    Cook pan being used with lid on while gas stove is running

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    Foods cook faster with lids on because the heat cannot escape.

  • 39 of 46

    Preheat Oven Only If You Must

    Baking bread

    annebaek / Getty Images

    For casseroles—and other foods that require long cook times—preheating the oven usually is not necessary. The only exceptions are meats and other temperature-critical foods.

  • 40 of 46

    More Microwave, Less Oven

    Microwave door open with bowl sitting inside

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    When you can, substitute the microwave for the oven. Microwaves use less electricity and do not release as much heat into your home.

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  • 41 of 46

    Remove Sediment From Your Hot Water Heater

    Water Heater

    JulNichols / Getty Images

    Sediment buildup in your water heater can reduce the efficiency of the heating elements. Use the valve on the side of your hot water heater to drain and remove the sediment twice yearly.

  • 42 of 46

    Insulate Your Hot Water Heater

    Gas Water Heater

    BanksPhotos / Getty Images

    Purchase an insulating jacket for your water heater to prevent heat loss.

  • 43 of 46

    Ensure Your Home Is Properly Insulated

    Insulating attic

    Gary Ombler / Getty Images

    The U.S. Department of Energy has an online tool that can help you determine if you have enough insulation based on the region where you live.

  • 44 of 46

    Seal Windows and Doors

    Window weather seal

    BanksPhotos / Getty Images

    Check around your windows and doors for any drafty gaps. Then, purchase and install weatherstripping to fill in any spots where drafts get in.

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  • 45 of 46

    Use Insulating Paint

    Painting house exterior

    ftwitty / Getty Images

    Go high-tech, and paint your home (inside and out) with insulated paint. You can now purchase a ceramic additive that turns ordinary paint into insulated paint.

  • 46 of 46

    Spend Less Time in the Shower

    Tiled shower wall in a modern bathroom

    John Keeble / Getty Images

    The average shower runs for about eight minutes and can use more than 16 gallons of hot water. Long showers mean you're using more electricity to heat more water. Shorter showers mean less electricity is needed because you're using less hot water. You can also save more water by installing a showerhead that uses less water. According to the EPA, If you use a low-flow showerhead and reduce your shower time, you're saving enough electricity to power a 60-watt light bulb for seven hours.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Today in Energy. U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  2. Programmable Thermostats. U.S. Department of Energy.

  3. Save Water and Energy by Showering Better. EPA.