In January 2022, energy prices were 27% higher than they were a year ago. Combined with inflation at a 40-year high, this had many Americans feeling the burn in their bank accounts.
You might feel hopeless and at the mercy of fluctuating rates that you can’t control. But what you can alter is your habits.
A little change here and there can add up. And not only does this lower your utility bills, but it also helps save the planet. It’s a win-win situation!
So if you’re ready to save in more ways than one, then keep reading. Below are 14 ways you can lower your monthly bills.
1- Replace Your HVAC Unit’s Air Filters Regularly
When’s the last time you swapped out your HVAC system’s air filter? If the answer is “never”, then you’re probably throwing lots of money down the drain!
The air filter is what keeps your AC and heater running efficiently. Over time, it gets clogged up with dust, pollen, debris, and other contaminants, which makes your HVAC unit work harder. This will drive up your utility bills.
How often you should replace these air filters will depend on the type you have, the environment you’re in, and your household. But generally, you’ll want to check them every month.
Take out the air filter and hold it up to a light source. If there’s barely any light passing through, then it’s time to throw it out and replace it.
2- Take Shorter and Colder Showers
The average American showers for just under 8 minutes, which equals almost 16 gallons (or 60 liters). If you’re living with others, then multiplying this number by 2-4 can really hurt your wallet!
But if each person makes a conscious effort to shave a few minutes off their showers, you’ll see a difference in your energy bills.
Plus, do you really need to shower with scalding water? Dialing back the water temperature slightly will also lower your utility bills. Not to mention, it’ll also save your skin!
3- Insulate Your Power Outlets and Light Switches
Many people don’t realize this, but power outlets and light switches are sources of air leaks.
On a cold day, put your hand over each of these in your home. If you feel cold air coming through, then you’ll need to insulate better.
You can pick up plastic outlet covers from your local home improvement store. They’ll fit snugly and help keep your house warmer.
4- Weatherstrip Your Windows and Doors
Other places cold air can leak through are your windows and doors.
To detect these leaks, go around with a lit candle and hold it up to your windows and doors. If the flame flickers, then you’ve got an air leak on your hands.
Again, go to your local home improvement store and pick up some weatherstripping products. You can then apply them as directed to seal your home effectively.
5- Wash Your Clothes in Colder Water
In the past, detergents needed warm/hot water to properly clean your clothes. But nowadays, they’re formulated for tough cleaning strength in cold water. So chances are, you’ve been unnecessarily spending money on hot water when cold would have sufficed!
Take a look at the washing directions on your clothes and if you’re in the clear, start washing them in cold water only. You’ll be pleased to know that washing in cold water can help with stain removal as well!
6- Install a Smart Thermostat
It’s easy to forget to lower your thermostat when you’re not home or sleeping (which can save money). To ensure you’re saving as much as possible, invest in a smart thermostat.
Not only do these smart home devices allow you to program specific temperatures throughout the day, but they also learn from your household’s habits and make changes accordingly. For instance, a room sensor can tell if people are in there and what the temperature variances are. So if no one’s in a room, it’ll turn off the HVAC system to save energy.
Other smart thermostat features include app notifications, voice commands, and energy tracking and reports.
If you don’t need all the bells and whistles, at least upgrade to a programmable thermostat. Even that can make a dent in your utility bills.
7- Close/Open Your Curtains and Blinds Smartly
If your house gets lots of natural sunlight, that’s great! You should open your curtains and blinds during the day so you don’t have to use artificial lighting.
However, you’ll want to do the opposite during hot weather. The sun’s rays will raise the temperature inside your house, which means you’ll flip on your AC.
During hot weather, you should close both your blinds and curtains. Blocking out the sun’s rays will help keep your home’s interior cool.
8- Use Fans
Circulating air in your home with fans can make such a big difference, you won’t need to use your AC on some days! Get one for each room so everyone can feel comfortable.
Make sure your ceiling fan is turned counterclockwise during the summer. This will pull heat up. On the other hand, switch to a clockwise direction during the winter to push warm air down.
9- Sleep Your Computer
While you might be glued to your computer, there are times when you need to step away. If you’re away for longer than 30 minutes, then having a screensaver on is a waste of energy.
Put your computer in sleep mode if you know you won’t be returning for a little bit. You can also change your settings to automatically sleep your computer after it’s been idle for 30 minutes.
You won’t have to worry about a long bootup time since sleeping your computer doesn’t shut it down completely. Waking it up only takes a few seconds at the most!
10- Switch to Solar Energy
To reduce costs in a big way, consider switching to solar energy. Solar prices for both equipment and installation are getting more affordable each year, which makes this energy source more accessible than in the past.
While it’ll still require a big initial investment, solar energy will save you tons in the long run. Plus, there are many incentives like tax breaks and rebates, both on the federal and state/local levels.
Do your research checking BBB ratings and reviews. Speak with a reputable company like Blue Raven Solar and they’ll be able to recommend the best setup for your home. For instance, some homeowners choose to go completely off the grid while others are still grid reliant. Either way, it’s a cost-saving decision!
11- Cook Smartly
Just because cooking instructions tell you to throw something in the oven doesn’t necessarily mean you have to. For example, if it’s a small dish, baking in a toaster oven will be more energy efficient! A bonus benefit is your food will cook faster since there’s less space to heat up.
You should also heat things up in the microwave whenever you can. The electricity used here is significantly less than what stovetops and ovens use.
12- Set Optimal Temperatures for Your Refrigerator and Freezer
There’s such thing as too cold for your fridge and freezer. Not only does this drain your bank account, but it can also ruin your food.
You’ll want to set your fridge to 38 degrees and your freezer to 5 degrees. These temperatures are just right to keep your food optimally preserved, without overworking your appliances.
13- Run Your Appliances at Night
Many utility companies charge extra during peak hours, which means you can save some money by switching some chores from daytime to nighttime.
Check with your utility provider to see what they charge and when. If they do indeed have peak and off-peak hours, then do your laundry at night and run your dishwasher while you sleep. You’ll want to switch off heat dry since your dishes can dry on their own overnight.
14- Buy New Energy Star-Rated Appliances
Sure, your microwave from the ’90s might still work. But it can be a real electricity guzzler, especially if it’s not Energy Star-rated.
If your appliances have seen better days, then it’s time to invest in new ones. Like with solar installations, you’ll have to spend a good chunk of money upfront, but you’ll see the savings in no time.
Lower & Cut Down on Your Utility Bills and Save
Utility bills are a pain all grownups have to pay. But you can make it sting a little less if you’re smart about consumption.
By following the tips we’ve given you here, you can reduce both your costs and carbon footprint. And because these changes are so minor, you won’t have to give up a good quality of life either.
So get started today on lowering your energy bills and looking after the planet. It’ll feel amazing!