Easy Energy-Saving Tips That Actually Make a Difference

Opening your monthly bills is never fun, but few things sting like your energy costs. As the weather warms up and the days get longer, you might think your energy bill would naturally drop -- after all, you’re using the heater less. But between running the air conditioner on those warmer days and leaving the lights on longer as the sun sets later, those costs can creep up.

According to the Energy Information Administration, the average monthly electricity bill in the US was nearly $137. And while your energy costs might feel inevitable, there is something you can do to bring down your bill. With a couple of simple changes, it's possible to significantly reduce your electricity bill.

"For an average person in an average home, spending about $50 and a couple of hours on blocking drafts can cut your bills by as much as 20% over the year," according to Vernon Trollinger of Texas Electricity Ratings. "But if you spend some time listing how you are currently using energy and how your home handles it, and then change your usage habits, you can chip off around 50% from your annual costs."

Here are some ways to save money on energy without breaking the bank.

Why saving energy matters right now

There is no bad time to save money, but with prices rising across the board for many basic needs, it's as important as ever to cut back where you can. Recent indicators suggest that the price of electricity is going up nationwide. 

In a recent CNET survey, 78% of Americans said they were stressed out about high energy bills. A majority of Americans, 70%, said they were taking steps to make their homes more energy efficient. 

By taking a few simple steps to conserve energy at home, you can give yourself more control over your finances. Taking energy-saving measures can help your household withstand economic pressures and contribute to a larger goal of reducing environmental impact.

Cheap ways to save energy

There are some simple steps you can take to reduce your monthly energy bill. These small changes and affordable investments can result in savings that add up over the course of the year and beyond.

Adjust your thermostat

One of the simplest ways for you to save money on your electricity bill is to adjust your thermostat so you are running your heating and air conditioning cycles less often. The US Department of Energy recommends turning your thermostat up by between 7° to 10°F for 8 hours a day -- typically when you will be away from home. This can save up to 10% annually on your bills, according to the agency. 

"Very few people notice when a room's temperature is 72°F or 78°F. What they do notice is humidity," Trollinger said. "By raising the thermostat setting during the day to 78°F or even 80°F if you're away, you'll cut your energy use significantly, especially." While there is an upfront investment, getting a programmable or smart thermostat will make it easy to make this change.

Turn things off

Another simple way to cut down on your electricity costs is to simply unplug appliances when they are not in use. This is especially true for older appliances that are more susceptible to "phantom loads" where they are running electricity cycles similar to the usage they would see while in use. 

"Energy vampires" like computer equipment or TVs can be unplugged when they aren't in use for minimal inconvenience while cutting off unnecessary electricity usage. 

Get insulated drapes

You know sitting in the sun makes you hot. The same is true for your home. If you leave your blinds up to let the sun in, you're letting the heat in, too -- and that can result in your air conditioning kicking in to counter it. One way to prevent that from happening is to purchase insulated drapes, preferably ones that cover ceiling to floor.

"Insulated drapes are the best way to block out sunlight from getting in and heating up your rooms in the winter and for trapping the cold against your windows in winter," Trollinger said. "In the summer, you want to block out sunlight from your south, southwest and west-facing windows. In a pinch, a couple of bed sheets will even do the job."

Try alternative cooling options

Your air conditioning unit isn't the only way to adjust the temperature in your house. In addition to controlling the heat from sunlight, you can also rely on appliances that use less energy to keep you cool. 

"Run a dehumidifier instead of turning on the AC. They use less energy," Trollinger explained. "And while they do put out some waste heat, it won't be enough to drastically heat up your home." This also has the added benefit of helping your air conditioning run more efficiently when you do need it, because, according to Trollinger, "conditioners don't work efficiently unless they can remove water vapor from the air before cooling it."

You can also run a ceiling fan, which won't necessarily cool your home but will make you feel cooler, which means you won't have to run your air conditioning and can potentially raise your thermostat because you can stay comfortable in hotter temperatures. That said, make sure you're turning your fan off when you aren't using it.

One longer-term solution that Trollinger suggested: Plant some trees and get some shade. Shading your roof and preventing the sun from heating it can cut down on how hot it feels in your house during the summer.

Time your usage of appliances

Running your appliances can add heat to your home, so if you're running it during a hot summer day, you might be contributing to excess heat that your air conditioning unit will need to counter. 

"Drying clothes, baking, running the dishwasher -- all these will dump more heat into your living space and make your AC run longer and cost you more," Trollinger said. If you can run those appliances at night, you'll reduce the heat burden during the hottest part of the day. You'll also potentially avoid running appliances during peak hours when electricity costs may be higher.

Seal air leaks

Ever feel a draft in your home even though your windows and doors are closed? You might have air leaks, which can affect the temperature of your home and ultimately lead to more energy usage. Gaps around windows, doors and even electrical outlets can let warm or cool air escape. 

"Temperature change makes doors and windows shift. Sometimes it can be just enough to misalign a door or window so that it doesn't close right and poof there's a draft," Trollinger said. 

You can use weather stripping, caulk or outlet sealers to prevent air leaks. It's a quick fix that you can do on your own, and it is inexpensive and keeps conditioned air where it belongs, making your heating and cooling more effective.

Change filters and maintain your appliances

You likely know that you should be performing regular maintenance on your appliances, but here's another incentive for doing so: it just might cut down on your electricity bill. Start by checking the air filter on your home's HVAC system.

"When the filter clogs up it makes your HVAC run longer. That drives up your energy usage and you pay more," Trollinger said. "Be sure to change the filter regularly with the kind recommended by the manufacturer. Just set a reminder on your phone to do it."

It's important to check your other appliances, too. See if your refrigerator is running properly or if it is constantly cycling and adding to your electricity costs. Check to see if your air conditioning system has any coolant leaks. You can check to see if your heating system has any burned-out heating elements that are resulting in less efficient heating. Just check to make sure everything is up to date because every bit of inefficiency will show up on your energy bills.