Home Energy-Saving Tips to Reduce Your Electricity Bill

May 15, 2023

lightbulb laying on a sheet with an energy usage report

*Updated February 5th, 2025
The average electricity bill in the United States is $137.70 per month, and that’s just for electricity—gas, water, and other utilities add even more to monthly expenses. With energy costs on the rise, finding ways to cut down on consumption isn’t just about saving a few dollars; it’s about making your home more efficient and reducing unnecessary waste. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple, practical steps you can take to lower your electricity bill without sacrificing comfort.
From upgrading appliances and adjusting daily habits to making small home improvements, these energy-saving tips can help you reduce costs while also benefiting the environment. Here’s how you can start saving today.

1. Change Habits

The first way to save energy at home is to change your habits. Have a quick family meeting and brainstorm ways to lower your energy bills together. Here are some simple areas you and your family can change:

  • Turn lights off when you leave a room
  • Unplug electronics that aren’t in use
  • Limit the use of energy using appliances, like the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer for non-peak times
  • Use cold water versus hot water as often as possible
  • Use the A/C or heat less often when no one is home
  • Take showers instead of baths

These changes, while small, can add up to significant savings. The key is to be consistent with your long-term efforts to change your energy bills.

2. Turn Ceiling Fans Off

Ceiling fans are great for keeping you cool, but they don’t actually lower the temperature in a room—they just move air around to create a cooling effect on your skin. That means if no one is in the room, the fan is just spinning for no reason, wasting energy.

To save money, make it a habit to turn off ceiling fans when leaving a room. If you’ve got kids who constantly forget, try putting up a small reminder near the switch. Over time, these small changes can add up, helping you cut down on unnecessary energy use and lower your electricity bill.

3. Move Lamps Away from the Thermostat

Your thermostat works by sensing the temperature in the surrounding area, but if a lamp or another heat-generating appliance is nearby, it can trick your thermostat into thinking your home is hotter than it really is. The result? Your air conditioner kicks on more often than it needs to, driving up energy costs.

To avoid this, keep lamps, TVs, and other electronics away from your thermostat. If your thermostat is in a spot where it can’t be moved, try using LED bulbs instead of traditional ones, as they produce significantly less heat. Small adjustments like these help ensure your thermostat gets an accurate reading, keeping your A/C from running more than necessary.

4. Install Power Strips

Use a power strip if you have areas of your  home with many items  plugged in. Then, shut the power strip off when the items aren’t in use or before you leave for the day. This stops the small appliances from pulling electricity from the wall socket, helping you  save money  on energy. You can also install smart power strips that automatically determine when the electronics aren’t in use and shut them down to save energy. Again, the upfront investment could  save you money  long-term.

5. Vacuum Air Intake Vents

Periodically, vacuum air intake vents to eliminate the dust buildup. Also, ensure there isn’t anything covering your vents to stop proper airflow. This ensures the house gets warmer or colder depending on the season, with limited use of the utilities.

6. Keep your Thermostat as High as Possible in the Summer

We all love that refreshing blast of cool air when stepping inside on a hot summer day, but keeping your home ice-cold isn’t doing your energy bill any favors. The smaller the difference between the temperature outside and inside, the less work your air conditioner has to do—meaning lower energy costs for you.

A good rule of thumb? Set your thermostat as high as you can while still feeling comfortable—experts recommend around 78°F when you’re home and even higher when you’re away. Every degree higher can save you up to 10% on cooling costs. If that sounds too warm, try using ceiling fans to circulate air and create a wind-chill effect that makes the room feel cooler without cranking up the A/C.

Also, consider a smart thermostat, which automatically adjusts the temperature when you’re asleep or out of the house, so you’re not paying to cool an empty home. Small tweaks like these can add up to big savings over the summer months!

7. Consider a Programmable Thermostat

Installing a programmable thermostat requires an upfront investment, but it can  save you money on utility bills  for many years. First, program your thermostat so your utilities run less during the day when everyone is at work and school. Then set it to heat or cool the house back up an hour or so before the family returns. Also, consider setting it to use less energy at night when everyone is asleep or let the thermostat determine when it should use less energy.

8. Seal Cracks and Openings

If your windows feel drafty or your doors leak air, add weatherstripping or caulk around the perimeter of the windows and doors to stop the drafts. Leaks from the outside only let hot and cool air inside your home, making your A/C and furnace work harder. Caulking the leaks allows your A/C and furnace to work less. If you aren’t sure where the drafts originate,  bring a match to each window  and door. If the flame flickers, that’s where you have a leak.

9. Strategically Plant Trees around your Home

Trees aren’t just for curb appeal—they can actually help you save money on your energy bills. By strategically planting shade trees around your home, you can block direct sunlight from heating up your house during the summer, meaning your air conditioner won’t have to work overtime to keep things cool. In the winter, trees can also serve as a windbreak, reducing heat loss and helping you stay warm without cranking up the thermostat. Just be sure to plant deciduous trees (ones that shed their leaves) on the south and west sides of your home so you get shade in the summer and sunlight in the winter.

10. Close Vents in Unused Rooms

Why waste money heating or cooling a room that no one uses? If you have a guest room, storage space, or any other area that doesn’t get much traffic, closing the vents can redirect air to the rooms you actually use. This allows your HVAC system to run more efficiently and prevents unnecessary energy use. Just be mindful not to completely seal off too many rooms, as this can put extra strain on your system.

11. Change your Air Filter Regularly

Your HVAC system’s air filter plays a bigger role in your energy bill than you might think. A clogged or dirty filter restricts airflow, making your heating and cooling system work harder to move air throughout your home. The result? Higher energy bills and more strain on your HVAC system. A good rule of thumb is to check your filter once a month and replace it every 1–3 months, depending on how quickly it gets dirty (especially if you have pets or allergies).

12. Turn the Water Heater Temperature Down

Everyone loves a hot shower, but your water heater doesn’t need to be working harder than necessary. Many water heaters come pre-set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hotter than most households need. Lowering it to 120 degrees can significantly cut energy costs while still providing plenty of hot water for showers, laundry, and dishwashing. Plus, it reduces the risk of accidental burns—especially helpful if you have kids at home. It’s a simple adjustment that can lead to big savings over time

Final Thoughts

Saving money on energy bills isn’t as hard as it might seem—you don’t have to make big sacrifices or live in the dark to see real savings. In most cases, it’s just about being a little more mindful of your energy use and making small changes that add up over time.

Simple tweaks—like unplugging devices when they’re not in use, turning off lights when you leave a room, adjusting your thermostat, and using fans strategically—can help cut down on unnecessary energy waste. Even small shifts in how you use your appliances, like washing clothes in cold water or sealing up drafts around doors and windows, can make a noticeable difference on your monthly bills.

Not only will these habits save you money, but they’ll also reduce wear and tear on your heating and cooling systems, meaning fewer repairs and a longer lifespan for your A/C and furnace. Plus, using less energy isn’t just good for your wallet—it’s better for the planet. Every little step helps lower your carbon footprint, making your home more energy-efficient while doing your part to conserve resources.

Additional Energy Saving Resources