When I lived in New York City, my roommate and I accidentally won the electric company lottery. Let me explain. From one year to the next, our energy bill close to doubled! After multiple calls with the electric company, they sent a representative to look into the issue. The contractor looked around our apartment and agreed that our bill shouldn’t be as high as it was. Upon further investigation, he discovered that the building’s communal electricity was connected to our apartment’s account. So, we had been paying the energy bill for all of the common spaces in the building plus our own. No wonder our bill was so high!
A few weeks later, we received a reimbursement check for $2,600. 😲 How’s that for lowering your utility bills! Even though this is an extreme example, it’s a cautionary reminder to pay attention to changes in your bills.
Unfortunately, my tips to lower your utility bills won’t help you win the electric company lottery. 😉 But if you implement my suggestions, you’ll definitely notice the savings over the course of a month and a year. Start with the easiest changes and work up to the more time intensive adjustments.
Electricity
Thermostat
Your electric bill is probably your most expensive utility. Luckily, there are lots of ways to reduce your energy costs. Let’s start with your thermostat. Raising the temperature in your home during the summer and lowering it in the winter can save you 3% per degree. So, increasing the temperature in your home during the summer by three to four degrees knocks 10% off your bill.
Depending on your average electric bill, this tip can save you $10-$20 per month approximately six months out of the year. Adjusting the thermostat can save an average of $90 per year! Invest the savings in fans and a space heater to keep you more comfortable during the warmer and cooler months.
Conservation
Do you own your home? Check if your energy company has a Power Manager Program. I receive an $8 bill credit ($32 total) during the summer by volunteering to have my a/c cycled off during periods of high use. Energy events are usually Monday through Friday in the afternoon or early evening and last 2.5-3.5 hours. In addition to saving money, I’m also reducing my energy consumption and delaying the need to build more power plants.
When I moved into my home, I received a free conservation kit from my energy company. Yay freebies! The kit included low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators (decrease water output) and LED light bulbs. These giveaways support lower energy and water use.
Does your power company offer an energy audit? I had one performed a few years ago. The auditor checked the energy efficiency of my home by inspecting the insulation in my attic and under my house. He also checked the windows, doors and vents for drafts and looked at the age of my systems and appliances. I had the option to pay $25 for the visit or buy $25 worth of products. I opted to buy products and chose weather stripping.
Periodically, I also receive offers for additional, free LED light bulbs. This helpful comparison shows the benefits of switching to CFL and LED light bulbs. Although they’re more expensive to buy, CFL and LED bulbs pay for themselves in less than a year, use less energy and last longer that incandescent bulbs. If you haven’t already, it’s time to make the switch.
Quick, Easy Energy Savings
- Unplug infrequently used electronics (lamps, chargers, kitchen appliances, washer, dryer)
- Use an energy efficient surge protector for your TV and other entertainment devices- these reduce the amount of energy wasted by electronics that are always plugged in
- Regularly replace air filters- dirty filters are less efficient and strain your HVAC system
- Use a toaster oven instead of your conventional oven- I wouldn’t recommend this for baking, but toaster ovens work great for small batch cooking and keep your house cooler in the summer
Gas & Water
Most homes in the US have electric, oil or gas heat. The least expensive type of heat is natural gas, which is what my house uses.
Dishwasher
You have two opportunities to cut costs when running your dishwasher. Dishwashers use fresh water for longer cycles like heavy and pots and pans. The longest cycle, pots and pans, uses twice the amount of water as the normal cycle. Silly me, I was under the impression that longer cycles simply wash the dishes longer, but didn’t use more water. You live, you learn! The second way to save is to skip the high temp drying option. By air drying your dishes, you save on energy costs (and add needed moisture to the air during the winter). Above all, using the dishwasher is more economical than hand washing your dishes as it uses less water and saves you time.
Washer & Dryer
Simply put, wash your clothes in cold water. Laundry doesn’t have to be as complicated as your mom made it out to be. Sorry mom. Here’s a rundown of the benefits of washing your clothes in cold or tap temperature water.
- 75-90% of the energy a washing machine uses is to heat up the water. Take that savings to the bank, sister!
- Not all stains fade in warm water. In fact, warm water can cause stains like, blood and sweat, to set.
- Cold water prevents clothes from shrinking and fading.
- Cold water reduces wrinkles
When drying your clothes, switch to a lower heat setting. Often, the lowest heat setting is hot enough to dry bulkier loads like jeans and towels. Also, there’s no need to run everything through the dryer. Aside from the cost savings, heat is hard on fabric and causes your clothes to age (pill, fade, lose elasticity) sooner. Don’t forget to clean your dryer vent hose at least once a year. A clogged vent hose is a fire hazard!
Water Heater
Turning down the temperature on your water heater is an easy way to lower a utility bill. Start with the water on low and determine if that temperature is comfortable enough for showering. This quick modification will continually save you money.
Tech Services
When trying to lower your utility bills, don’t forget to consider your tech providers like internet, cable and security monitoring providers.
Internet, Cable & Home Phone
If you still have a home phone, ditch it. Unless you live some place where there isn’t reliable cell service, home phone lines are unnecessary these days and a waste of money. But if I don’t bundle my phone, internet and cable, I’ll lose my triple play discount. Companies, like Comcast, RCN and Xfinity, successfully used this marketing tactic for a while, but it doesn’t apply in 2020. So many people just want internet these days that companies had to relent. I haven’t had “bundled service” in over ten years.
While you’re cutting services, it’s also time to get rid of traditional cable. Buy a digital antenna ($50 or less) so you can watch local channels and switch to streaming services. Have an old TV? No problem, buy a Roku, attach it to your TV and, voila, you’ve just upgraded to a smart TV for $30! Although it might feel unsettling, losing your cable and home phone services will save you a lot of money- $60 per month or more!
I get my internet through Frontier. I’ve used them for eight years and currently pay $44 per month for the fastest service they offer. Everytime my bill increases, I call and ask if there are any special rates I can take advantage of. As the market becomes more competitive, companies have to work harder for your business. If the customer service agent isn’t helpful, ask to be transferred to the customer retention department.
Security Monitoring
Ladies, if you live alone, PLEASE get a security system! There are tons of options, from traditional monitoring to self-installed systems. So there’s a solution that fits every budget. I put off getting a security system until my neighbor had a break in. I’ve used ADT for seven years and have been happy with their service. I currently pay $34.57 per month for security and fire monitoring.
Whether it’s a creeper at the gym, a weido internet date or an obsessed coworker, make it more difficult for someone to hurt you. Get a security system and arm it, no matter how long you’ll be out of the house.
As with anything new, try a few of these suggestions and make them habits. Don’t try to adopt every change at once. Chances are you won’t stick with it. If you’re someone who intends to implement new practices, but forgets, then use sticky notes until the behavior becomes a habit. For example, in the laundry room, put up a sticky note reminding you to wash your clothes in cold water, hang up clothes and clean the lint trap. Happy Saving!