Slash Your Electric Bill with 11 Savvy Hacks

How much do you pay for electricity each month? Whatever the answer, you probably wouldn't mind having a lower electric bill. The good news is, there are many simple ways to reduce your energy costs. We've compiled a list of some of our favorites. While a few involve installing a new device to measure your electrical output, many require no special tools whatsoever.

What you pay for your electric bill depends on several factors. There are standing charges for being connected to the infrastructure, and various added surcharges and taxes. These parts of your bill, you can’t do much about. The rest of your electric bill is what’s called “usage.” In other words, the electricity that you actually use. This is where you can affect change and lower your bill.

Your electricity usage is measured in kilowatt hours, and you are billed a certain amount for each kilowatt hour that you use. Running an appliance rated at 1000 watts (1 kilowatt) for 1 hour will use 1 kilowatt hour of electricity. So, it’s worth knowing how much energy everything you plug into the wall consumes. You should also educate yourself about your electric company’s rates. Per kilowatt charges can change depending on the season and time of day. So, get informed, and be a smart consumer.

What are you waiting for? Click through to see how you can make simple changes that will lower your electric bill.

  1. Knowledge Is Power

    Belkin WeMo Switch

    If you're really serious, then your first step is to determine which of the items you own are the most power hungry. Air conditioners are notorious energy hogs, but what else in your home might be driving up the monthly bill? There's more than way to do this detective work, but here's an easy approach: Plug any electronic device into the Belkin WeMo Insight Switch, and you can then monitor its usage via smartphone app to learn what it's costing you. 


  2. Run Appliances at Night

    Off Peak Electricity Times

    One of the easiest ways to save money on electricity is to run your appliances at night. Because everyone's awake and using their stuff during daytime hours, utility companies tend to charge more during these peak times. Rates are usually significantly lower during off-peak hours. Check with your utility company to find out your local peak and off-peak rates.


  3. Stick to a Schedule

    Outlet Timer

    One effective way to capitalize on lower off-peak electricity rates is to put suitable electronics or appliances on a simple $10 outlet timer like this one. You may have used a similar gizmo in the past to put your home's lighting on a schedule, perhaps before leaving on vacation. Consider this strategy just another way that an outlet timer can keep you from getting robbed!


  4. Think About Your Roof Color

    White Roof

    Homeowners who are considering updating the roof should give white and lighter colors a good, long thought. Research has shown that black roofs do indeed attract more sun. Homes with white roofs tend to have a smaller air conditioning bill—up to 20 percent less than those with black roofs—in the hot, sunny weather.

    Related:  7 Simple Ways to Cut Your Home Cooling Costs


  5. Change Your Filters

    Change Furnace Filter


    Related:  Solve Common Furnace Problems with 9 Easy Fixes


  6. Wash in Cold Water

    Washing Clothes

    Don't wash your energy dollars down the drain! To save money, wash clothes on the cold setting and line-dry when you can. If you do need to machine-dry your clothes, don't overfill. If you don't leave enough space for the hot air to circulate, your laundry will dry more slowly, resulting in a pricier laundry cycle.

    Related:  10 Laundry Room Storage Ideas That'll Knock Your Socks Off


  7. Maintain an Efficient Fridge

    Efficient Fridges

    Keep your energy usage low by running your fridge at maximum efficiency. For starters, set your temperature to the recommended setting of 37°F for the fridge and 0°F for the freezer—any colder and you're just wasting power. Your fridge should be about three-quarters full—it takes less power to keep a full fridge cold, but you need to allow enough room for air to circulate. Clean the coils on the back of the fridge several times each year—and resist the temptation to store things up top as these items can prevent hot air from escaping and cause your unit to work overtime.

    Related:  9 Cutting-Edge Energy-Efficient Appliances


  8. Watch Your Wash Cycle

    Best Way to Wash Dishes

    Wash dishes the smarter way: Use short, eco-friendly cycles for all but the very dirtiest loads, and try to hold off starting until the load is full. Then, when the wash cycle is finished, set the appliance to air-dry rather than heat-dry—this easy move can cut the appliance's electricity use by 15 to 50 percent. Don't have the option built in? Simply turn off the dishwasher after the final rinse and open the door.


  9. Insulate Properly

    Energy Efficient Insulation

    Without proper insulation, all the money you spend heating and cooling your home could escape through windows, doors, or the roof. Time spent weatherstripping and insulating is well spent! 

    Related:  The Pros and Cons of Today's Most Popular Insulation


  10. Install a Solar Water Heater

    Solar Water Heater

    One of the easiest ways to save on your bills is to install your own solar hot water heater. Water heating is the second biggest consumer of home electricity, so it makes sense to install the system now. You can complete this project for as little as $300 to $2,000, depending on materials, if you do the job yourself. This solar upgrade is designed to supplement your existing electric system, so even in cloudy weather, you can still enjoy a hot shower.

    Related:  Solar Hot Water


  11. Get an App


    Need more personalized recommendations? Consider an app like Bidgely. Once you install a whole-house energy monitor, you'll get real-time energy usage stats sent right to your phone. You'll even be able to compare how your energy usage stacks up against your neighbors' and get tips on reducing energy usage tailored just for you.

    Related:  12 House Functions You Didn't Know You Could Control From Your Phone


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