How To Lower Electric Bill

That last electric bill seemed excessive. You’re already looking with dread toward next month and wondering whether you should cancel your summer vacation so that you can pay your bills. You weigh them in your mind: a trip to Barbados vs. electricity at home, luxurious vacation vs. air-conditioned staycation, canceled flight vs. getting your electricity turned off…

Wait a minute!

Before you cancel that flight to Barbados, Power Wizard can show you how you can lower your electric bill without compromising your lifestyle. You can have both!

 

Our shopping tool makes sure you get the lowest possible price on electricity, and what’s more, it does it in minutes! Use the shopping tool to get your dream electric plan, and then come back here to see how you can use a little less of that electricity.

How To Lower Electric Bill In Summer

Summers in Texas are brutal. Once it heats up for the summer, it’s rare that the temperatures drop below 92 degrees during the day.

Is your HVAC system constantly kicking on during the day, but you’re still hot? Do you find yourself saying,

“I have no idea how to lower my energy bill in these temperatures.”

Here are a few ways you can lower your electric bill during the summer months:

1. Program Thermostat

On average, heating and cooling your home accounts for 48% of your electric consumption!

Consider installing a programmable thermostat in your home.

According to ENERGY STAR, this simple step can save you anywhere from 180 dollars a year on your electric bill.

Why Will Programming The Thermostat Lower My Electric Bill?

When setting your programmable thermostat, think about the hours your home is typically empty or the hours when you’re sleeping.

If your thermostat is programmed to adjust automatically during these times, you don’t have to remember to turn the temperature up or down every time you leave the house or go to bed.

The effect? Less energy use.

The result? A lower electric bill.

Smart thermostats are also a great option if you are regularly on the go. In the era of smartphones, many of these models have been made so that you can control the thermostat from the palm of your hand.

2. Set Temperature A Few Degrees Higher

Are you away from home for the majority of your day? Spend weekends out and about?

Consider setting the temperature in your home to 78 degrees while you’re away.

Program your thermostat to lower the temperature half an hour before you arrive home. When you’re home, keep the thermostat at a temperature that is just enough to keep you comfortable and keep humidity at bay.

Why Will Setting The Thermostat Higher Lower My Electric Bill?

By following the recommendation from the U.S. Department of Energy and turning the thermostat up seven to ten degrees at least eight hours a day, you can save at least 10% on your electric bill.

Think you’ll be too warm?

Close off vents in rooms you aren’t using, and consider hanging out in areas that are generally cooler in your home.

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3. Avoid Using Your Oven

Large, heat-producing appliances like your oven can wreak havoc on your electric bill during the summer months.

Here are some alternatives to using your oven:

• Use a small convection oven
• Heat up the grill for meats and veggies
• Try a few crockpot recipes

Why Will Not Using The Oven Lower My Electric Bill?

Using the oven not only uses electricity (especially if you have an electric oven), but it heats up your home too.

In fact, opening your oven when it’s turned on can raise the temperature in your home drastically.

This causes the A/C to run more frequently to try to combat the heat the oven is producing.

Using a convection oven can lower your electric bill by up to 20% every month.

Why?

Your AC does not have to work as hard to compensate for the added heat from your oven.

4. Check Door And Windows For Leaks

Stop hot air from entering your home and cool air from escaping by checking the most common places air leaks occur. Take the time to inspect the interior and exterior of your home.

Some ways to check for air leaks on your doors and windows are:

• Check for drafts. Is air flowing through the seams of your doors or windows when they’re closed?
  • If so, check the weather stripping and the caulking around them.
  • During the summer months, caulk can dry out, causing cracks that let hot air into your home.
• Conduct a building pressurization test.
• Do a visual inspection. Inspect all your windows and doors to ensure that weather stripping and seals are properly applied.

Other areas of your home to inspect include:

• Electrical outlets
• Vents and fans
• Baseboards
• Outdoor water faucets

Why Will Fixing Leaks Lower My Electric Bill?

Stop your A/C unit from going into overdrive.

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Fixing leaks lowers your electric bill by stopping cold air from escaping and hot air from coming in.

A few ways to fix these leaks include:

• Caulking cracks around baseboards.
• Make sure wall-mounted A/C units are properly installed.
• Sealing areas around vents (like dryer or bathroom vents) can help lower your electric bill by 10-20%.

5. Consider A Prepaid Electricity Plan

Another option if you’re trying to decrease your electric bill is to choose an electricity plan that is prepaid.

How do prepaid plans work?

Prepaid plans allow you to control how much energy you’re using. Similar to buying minutes for a cellphone, they allow you to pay for as much as you want when you want.

How Can A Prepaid Electricity Plan Lower My Electric Bill?

A prepaid electric plan can help you decrease your electric bill by making you more aware of the amount of electricity you’re using. These types of plans help you manage your usage.

Unsure if you should switch to a prepaid plan?

Let Power Wizard help you weigh your options!

We find you the best electric plans based on your needs and your budget. With Power Wizard, you never have to worry if you’re getting the best deal; if we find a better plan for you, we’ll let you know.

Interested in finding out how much you can decrease your electric bill?

Let us give you a Shopping Tool in under two minutes.

6. Install An Attic Fan

Many attics are not properly ventilated. This can lead to temperatures as hot as 150 degrees in the summer months.

Why Will Installing An Attic Fan Lower My Electric Bill?

Installing an attic fan lowers your electric bill by removing the hot air from your attic and preventing it from spreading throughout your house.

The less hot air there is in your home, the less electricity your AC will use to keep your home cool.

7. Block Out Sun With Curtains And Blinds

The Department of Energy states:

“About 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows. In cooling seasons, about 76% of the sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat.”

There are many different types of window treatments out there that can help you lower your electric bill, but blinds (interior or exterior) and curtains may be the most budget-friendly.

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Why Will Using Curtains Or Blinds Lower My Electric Bill?

Consider purchasing thermal curtains. Look for curtains that are a medium color, and have a white-plastic lining on the back.

These curtains are more likely to reduce the amount of solar heat in your home by 33%.

Hanging highly reflective blinds are a great way to still get some sunlight in your home without having to worry about your home getting excessively hot.

By hanging blinds or thermal curtains, your A/C unit won’t have to work as hard to cool down your home.

How to Lower Electric Bill In Winter

We’ve covered how to stay cool during the hot summers and still lower your electric bill.

Now, let’s look at a few easy ways you can keep warm in the winter and keep your energy bill down.

8. Set the Thermostat A Few Degrees Lower

The DEP recommends setting your thermostat at 68 degrees during the winter months.

If you’re not going to be home or during hours when you’ll be asleep, drop the temperature a few more degrees.

Why Will Programming The Thermostat At A Lower Temperature Decrease My Electric Bill?

The lower the temperature is inside your home, the slower it will lose heat.

By setting your thermostat at a lower temperature, your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.

The result? Less electricity is used to power your HVAC system.

The effect? You use fewer kWh per hour to keep your home warm, and your electricity bill will reflect that.

9. Fix Leaky Ducts

Air ducts carry the air from your furnace and central air conditioning to all the areas of your home. Inspecting your air ducts for any leaks is key to keeping your energy bill low.

In fact, fixing leaky ducts can decrease your electric bill by up to 30% a year.

Why Will Fixing Leaky Ducts Lower My Electric Bill?

If your ducts have a leak, heat could be escaping from the ducts, causing the system to work harder to match the temperature on your thermostat.

Not only do leaky ducts cause higher electric bills, but they can clog your air filters.

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The result? A higher electric bill is due to your system working harder to push air through the filter.

10. Wear Warm Clothes

Bundle up a bit.

Pull out those cozy socks you got for Christmas.

Wondering how you can stay warm without turning up the heat? Try a few of these things:

• Wear warm clothes like sweatshirts and long johns when you’re at home.
• Grab a blanket, bundle up.
• Grab some hot coffee or a warm snack.

Why Will Wearing Warm Clothes Lower My Electric Bill?

Wearing a few extra layers helps keep you comfortable during cooler months without being tempted to turn up the thermostat.

You’ll use less energy by keeping the temperature on the thermostat down, lowering your electric bill.

11. Let In The Sun

Natural light can be a great source of heat for your home.

Open the blinds and curtains, let in the sun to help warm your house.

Why Will Letting The Sun In Lower My Electric Bill?

The sun is a free source of heat.

Let the sunshine in during the day, and as the sun sets, close your curtains and blinds. This helps conserve the heat already in your home.

Your furnace won’t have to work as hard to keep your home warm with the help of natural light, saving you money on your electric bill.

Water

Did you know you can lower your electric bill by switching up the way you use water in your home?

In fact, the Washington Post found that almost 17% of a home’s electric use comes from the water heater.

Let’s look at a few ways you can lower your electric bill by changing some of your habits:

12. Wash Clothes In Warm Or Cold Water

Did you know that around 10% of your home’s electric use involves doing your laundry?

Consider washing your loads of laundry in warm or cold water instead.

Not only will you save on your electric bill, but you’ll reduce the chances of your clothes shrinking or fading.

Why Will Washing Clothes in Warm Or Cold Water Lower My Electric Bill?

Heating the water used to wash your clothes accounts for 90% of the energy needed to run your wash machine.

Washing your laundry in warm or cold water decreases your electric bill because the water heater doesn’t have to work as hard to heat up the water.

This one simple step can actually cut the energy your water heater uses in half.

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13. Lower Water Heater Temperature

Most water heaters are set at 140 degrees by the manufacturer.

Not only does this temperature cause unnecessary electric bill increases, but it puts your safety at risk. Water heated to 140 degrees is more likely to cause scalding on parts of your body. Consider lowering the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees.

It’s important to note that temperatures under 140 degrees have the potential to cause bacterial growth in your water heater.

If you, or someone you live with, are elderly, have a respiratory disease, or have a compromised immune system, lowering your water heater temperature may not be best.

Consult your doctor before making any adjustments. Consider other ways to lower your electric bill, like finding a cheaper electric plan.

Why Will Lowering The Water Heater Temperature Lower My Electric Bill?

According to The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, lowering your water heater temperature by just 20 degrees can help save you up to 10% on your electric bill every year.

14. Wash Clothes And Dishes During Off-Peak Hours

Has anyone ever mentioned to you that they only run their dishwasher in the morning or at night to save money?

It may be because their electric company has lower kWh rates during certain hours of the day.

Why Will Washing During Off-Peak Hours Lower My Electric Bill?

Some electric companies offer lower kWh rates during “off-peak hours.” In Texas, for example, one company’s off-peak hours are from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.; weekends are also considered off-peak hours.

Wondering if you’re getting the best bang for your buck with your electric company? Unsure if your current electric plan offers off-peak hourly rates? Let Power Wizard do the work for you!

Here’s a complete list of Texas electric companies to help you with your search for savings.

15. Turn Off Heated Dry Feature On Dishwasher

Although it may seem quicker and more convenient to use the heated dry feature on your dishwasher, turning it off can help you lower your electric bill.

In a hurry? Open your dishwasher door as soon as the cycle is over while the dishes are still warm. This will speed up the drying process, without using electricity.

Why Will Turning Off Heated Dry On The Dishwasher Lower My Electric Bill?

The heated dry feature on your dishwasher adds to your electric bill.

Skip the added expense and let your dishes air dry.

Some newer dishwashers have a switch you can flip to turn off the heated dry and select air-drying instead.

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16. Shorten Shower Times

How many times have you turned on the shower and walked away to grab some things while the water warmed up?

Long showers are glorious after a long, hard day, but a shorter shower may do wonders for your electric bill.

Why Will Taking Shorter Showers Lower My Electric Bill?

An average shower uses about 10 gallons of water.

Here are a few ways you can cut back the amount of energy you’re using in the shower:

• Turn down the water temperature when washing your hair or shaving.
• Consider turning off the water completely when lathering up with your shampoo or body wash.
• If you’re taking a bath, fill the tub half as full as you normally would.

These simple changes stop your water heater from working as hard to heat large amounts of water, lowering your electric bill.

17. Wash Full Loads Of Laundry And Dishes

According to the EPA, the average family in America does almost 400 loads of laundry per year.

How many of those loads were just a few pieces of clothes because someone was in a hurry?

It’s easy to run the dishwasher after breakfast or start a small load of laundry to keep the laundry piles at bay.

Instead, wait for a full load; it may help you lower your energy bill.

Why Will Washing Full Loads of Clothes And Dishes Lower My Electric Bill?

Did you know your washing machines use the same amount of energy per load, no matter the size?

Loading these appliances properly ensures you’re not wasting money.

Power And Lighting

Have you ever wondered how much electricity your home uses every year on lighting alone?

According to the EIA, in 2019, Americans used about 75 billion kWh to light their homes.

How can you lower that usage? Let’s take a look!

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18. Switch To LED Bulbs

Switch out your old light bulbs for ENERGY STAR-qualified LEDs.

You’ve probably seen them in stores and questioned why you should buy them when they’re more expensive than traditional iridescent bulbs.

It’s worth it for your wallet to make the switch.

Why Will Switching To LED Lights Lower My Electric Bill?

An average American home uses 40 light bulbs throughout the entire house.

Iridescent light bulbs emit most of their energy as heat, not light. LED’s, on the other hand, emit very little heat, which also means they use less energy.

19. Use Dimmer Switches

Dimmer switches have been around for decades. Today, these dimmers can actually help decrease your electric bill.

Why Will Using Dimmer Switches Lower My Electric Bill?

Dimmer switches reduce the flow of electricity to your light bulbs. This means you won’t be using as much energy to light your home.

One LED light bulb company has even come up with a smart switch that can be controlled by the switch on your wall or by an app on your phone.

20. Get An Energy Audit

Looking at your electric bill and wondering how it got so high? Can’t put the pieces together?

An energy audit is a great way to figure out how much energy your home uses.

How Can An Energy Audit Lower My Electric Bill?

An energy audit can lower your electric bill by showing you where your home could be using electricity more efficiently.

There are a couple of steps involved in an energy audit. They include:

1. A visual inspection and a walk-through of your home.
2. After the inspection, the auditor provides you with an energy analysis.

The analysis can help you save on your electric bill by telling you what appliances might need to be replaced and where your home uses the most energy.

Not only can an energy audit lower your electric bill, but by making your home more efficient, you’re increasing the market value of your home.

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21. Eliminate Phantom Use

How many electronics do you have plugged in right now that you aren’t using?

Is your microwave plugged in at all times? Did you unplug your hair dryer this morning?

Even if they aren’t turned on, appliances and electronics use electricity when plugged in.

These products are also known as “energy vampires.”

“Energy Vampires” include products like:

• Coffee Makers
• Phone Charges
• Cable Boxes
• Hair Dryers
• Lamps
• Televisions
• DVD players

Why Will Eliminating Phantom Use Lower My Electric Bill?

By unplugging electronics, you aren’t using; or purchasing power strips and turning them off, you can decrease your electric bill by $100 a year.

22. Fill Fridge And Freezer

Your refrigerator is costing you about a dollar a day to use.

Filling your fridge and freezer can save you money on your electric bill.

Why Will A Full Fridge And Freezer Lower My Electric Bill?

The more food in your fridge, the less energy it is going to use to keep the items cold.

Unsure of how to fill your fridge without having items go bad?

Make extra portions of meals that are easy to freeze, like chili or stuffed shells, and freeze the leftovers for future dates!

23. Line Dry Clothes

Did you know your dryer is responsible for six percent of your electric bill?

Consider hanging your clothes to dry after they’ve been washed. It may seem like a hassle or a longer process, but it can decrease your electric bill quite a bit each year.

Why Will Line Drying Clothes Lower My Electric Bill?

Running your dryer can cost you almost $0.50 an hour!

Let’s say that every load of laundry you throw in the dryer takes at least an hour to dry.

Remember, earlier; we mentioned that the average American does 400 loads of laundry a year.

400 loads of laundry x $0.50 an hour = $200 dollars a year on just drying your clothes.

Cut the added expense by line-drying your clothes.

Let Power Wizard Evaluate your Electric Bill for Possible Savings.

Lowering your electric bill means becoming aware of how much energy your home uses and making changes to stop using as much electricity.

Making these 23 changes can help you lower your electric bill and put your hard-earned money back in your wallet.

Additionally, you can take five minutes to use Power Wizard’s Shopping tool to see if there’s a plan available to help you lower your electric bill right away.