6 Energy Saving Strategies to Lower Your Electric Bill

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This post is part of the 31 Days to Radically Reduce Your Expenses series. Visit this page for even more ways to slash costs and eliminate unnecessary spending! 

These 6 energy saving strategies take only minutes to do, but significantly cut costs throughout your entire home!


Do you ever take electricity for granted? I know I certainly do! It only takes one of our infamous Florida thunderstorms for me to remember how much I rely on power throughout the day.

But this lifestyle of convenience also brings a greater dependence on more gadgets, more technology, and more outlets to plug everything into…..which isn’t bad per se, but can result in a pretty hefty electric bill. And if you live in a colder climate during the winter months, you know first-hand the considerable cost difference between January and June!

While I do agree that it can be a huge pain to constantly plug and unplug all of our appliances, this is an area of our budget that can quickly get out of control. Here are 6 energy saving strategies to implement right away so you can pocket those extra dollars!

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How to Lower Your Electric Bill :

1. Adjust the Temperature of Your Home – Whether you use heat, air conditioning, or both, adjust your thermostat every time you leave the house. In the winter, turn down the heat so the furnace doesn’t kick on as much, then turn it back up when you return. For air conditioning, turn the temperature up when you run out for a quick errand, and set it to a more comfortable level when you get back. If you can afford it, invest in a programable thermostat that will do all the adjusting for you.

2. Check Your Windows and Doors for Leaks – Nothing makes your furnace or air conditioner work overtime than having a drafty window that lets out all your energy. In NY, we would buy a plastic insulator kit for our windows to keep the heat in, and stuff cracks with rags and blankets. It didn’t look pretty, but it really helped!

3. Unplug Appliances and Other Devices– Take a minute to look around your house……is your toaster oven plugged in? What about lamps? Maybe a phone charger…or two? It takes just a few minutes to plug and unplug these items, and though one appliance might not make that big of a difference, quite a few of them certainly do. Make it a habit to unplug your kitchen appliances when not in use, and put away your chargers when you don’t need them. If you have a bunch of cords in the same general area, grab a surge protector that you can easily switch on and off.

4. Conserve Light Usage – While it seems like a no-brainer to turn lights off when you leave the room, we probably have all been guilty of forgetting to do this at some point! A simple flick of the switch is all it takes, and you should do this even if you’re leaving the room for only a few minutes. Also, table or floor lamps use a lot less energy than overhead lights do, so if you’re sitting in a corner reading or watching TV, opt for a smaller lamp to light up the room.

5. Invest in LED or CFL Lightbulbs – Even though CFL’s are a lot more expensive than incandescent bulbs, they do last quite a bit longer. You don’t have to change out every bulb in your house right away, but be sure to stock up on newer, energy efficient ones to replace the old ones when they burn out. Since these lightbulbs contain mercury, so you want to be super careful when disposing of them. Here are some standards set by the EPA, as well as what to do when one accidentally breaks.

6. Practice These Kitchen Hacks – For a bunch of energy savings in the kitchen, make sure to defrost your freezer twice a year so it doesn’t have to work as hard, use the microwave or toaster oven instead of turning on the big oven, only run your dishwasher when it’s packed full. It also might be worth saving for an energy efficient fridge if you don’t have one already!

Today’s Challenge:

Take a look around your home and get into the habit of unplugging electronics and appliances when not in use — think of your kitchen aid, toaster oven, phone chargers, computers, etc. Then take a picture of one of these items unplugged and share it with me on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #ReduceYourExpenses. I want to see your commitment to a lower electric bill!

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4 Comments

  1. All these methods are great for reducing your energy consumption.

    When it comes to money, it’s also important to choose an energy plan that offers you the most savings. If you live in an energy deregulated state you can choose your own energy provider and your own energy plan.

    I’m always surprised by people who cannot read past the small text in their contract. The advertised price per plan is NOT always your best choice. You need to know what your monthly consumption is, and then shop for an energy plan based on that. You’ll be able to save hundreds of dollars every year if you do it right.

  2. I think LED lights are the way to save electricity. 9W LED= 60W incandescent. Add that up round the house. Replace halogen lamps (50W each!) with 6W LEDs

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