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Word is out, and it looks like electricity prices aren’t coming down anytime soon.
Post-pandemic inflation can be staggering; you won’t be alone if you find yourself in the grocery store bread aisle shaking your head in disbelief and wondering when prices will go back to normal. While there is some hope for easing inflation in the general U.S. economy, there’s a multitude of reasons conspiring to keep energy prices high.
You may be wondering, "Why is my electric bill so high?" While the price of electricity isn’t coming down, there are steps you can take to lower the costs at home.
On average, American households spend about $117 a month. But that doesn’t have to be you. If you’re looking for how to lower your electric bill, here are 13 ways to start.
1. Save on electricity bills with a smart thermostat
Swapping out your old thermostat for a smart version is the easiest way to make your home’s HVAC unit more efficient, says Clint Robertson, home improvement expert and American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning partner.
This change can help you shave 10% to 12% off your heating bills, and up to 15% off your cooling bills.
We recommend the Nest Smart Thermostat (third-gen). But, if you can’t budget an upgrade at the moment, your current thermostat will most likely have handy programmable settings you can use, like the ability to turn down the heat at nighttime when you’re snuggled under your favorite comforter.
2. Look for the Energy Star label
Energy Star is a labeling program developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. To qualify for the label, appliances must meet or exceed minimum efficiency ratings.
Look for the designation on everything from kitchen appliances to water heaters and pool pumps. The label includes an annual cost-of-use estimation, which can help you budget realistically, keep your utility bills down, and reduce your energy use.
3. Seal and insulate your home
In the winter, much of the air moving through your home is lost to air leaks and poor insulation. That leakage can raise your heating and cooling bills and make your home less comfortable.
Weatherizing your home, which involves sealing and insulating, can help plug the leaks and save 10% on your energy bill every year. Look for leaks in the attic and basement, where the air most commonly escapes. Throughout the house, install weatherstripping around doors and windows, and caulk around outlets and pipes to further reduce utility costs.
4. Save energy with smart plugs
These days, most electronic devices use significantly less energy in standby mode than they used to, around 90% or more in many cases.
However, that doesn’t apply to certain older devices and some classes of newer units. One of the best tools we have to control how much electricity our home uses is a smart plug.
Smart plugs aren’t just for turning on and off hard-to-reach strands of Christmas lights with your voice (though that is a very cool feature). These plugs let you schedule all the devices and lights in your home, ensuring that lights turn off while you’re out of the house or scheduling the AC unit so it doesn’t run all day.
5. Install a greener ceiling fan
Ceiling fans are always better than AC when you’re looking to save money on electricity. However, some ceiling fans are better than others.
New ceiling fans are one of the best ways to save money on cooling a hot home, and often sync with a smart home ecosystem so you can schedule when they turn on and off, or start cooling right before you get home.
6. Update your AC and filters
Regularly changing your air filters every 30 to 90 days “helps your HVAC operate properly rather than work overtime,” Robertson says. The advice applies to both portable AC units and classic window units. Replace these filters at least every three months for maximum efficiency, money savings, and improved air quality.
7. Upgrade to smart blinds
About three-quarters of the sunlight that comes through your windows is converted to heat, which can make your air conditioner work harder in the summer. But Robertson says one simple trick to save on utilities can help you beat the heat.
“Closing windows, drapes, and blinds during the day—and opening them again when the sun goes down—is an easy and affordable way to help keep the house cool at all times,” he says.
You can even take it a step further with smart blinds, which are motorized shades that automatically adjust and can open and close on a set schedule.
8. Get an HVAC tune-up
Energy Star suggests hiring a contractor once a year to service your HVAC system. The tune-up can cost up to $450, but it's worth the price tag because it helps the HVAC system run efficiently and keep utility bills in check. It can also lengthen the life of your HVAC, which costs about $5,500 to replace.
However, Robertson recommends considering replacing the system if it is more than 10 years old. Repairing your air conditioning system, for example, could cost up to $1,500. Meanwhile, a new, energy-efficient HVAC system can help lower your energy bills and improve airflow.
9. Change out light bulbs for smart bulbs
Switching to energy-efficient smart light bulbs is one of the easiest ways to cut your energy bills. Although halogen incandescent, CFL, and LED light bulbs cost a bit more upfront, they help you save money in the long run because they use less energy compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.
Shop for these light bulbs with the Energy Star label, and you can save up to $45 each year.
10. Check for state energy saving programs
Plenty of state and local programs offer money-saving incentives and ways to make your home more energy-efficient. To check out initiatives near you, head to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency and plug in your ZIP code.
Depending on your location, you may find tax credits, grants that don’t require repayment, loan programs, and energy audits.
In Massachusetts, for example, the Mass Save program connects homeowners with energy experts who visit their homes and identify ways to save energy. The program grants you access to free stuff like energy-efficient light bulbs, power strips, and shower heads.
11. Reduce humidity
While humidity can make outdoor activities unpleasant, it can also wreak havoc inside the home.
“A humid house will make the air conditioning work harder and won’t be easy on the utility bill,” Roberston, who's also a co-host of HGTV show Boise Boys, says. Plus, humidity promotes the growth of mold and rot, which can lead to poor air quality, unsightly stains, and unpleasant odors.
Robertson recommends keeping your house at 30% to 50% humidity with these few steps:
- Take shorter showers with cooler water.
- Cover pots and pans while cooking.
- Use dehumidifiers, which cost less than cooling the house.
We tested dehumidifiers, and they can reduce humidity by nearly 50% in about 1.5 hours.
12. Replace older appliances
It might not be intuitive that splurging on a new refrigerator could be a value purchase that saves you money in the end. However, appliances have come a long way in the last 10 to 20 years in how much energy they use.
While purchasing a new fridge could cost you a significant sum up front, it could also save you $300 a year in energy costs, which adds up to quite a lot in the long term.
There are always more little ways to save on electricity around the home, which might involve throwing an extra blanket on the bed, or opting for the newest generation of energy-saving technology. If you’re trying to revolutionize your home, check out our guide to electrifying the home and our energy efficiency and savings guide.
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