How to Drastically Cut Your Electric Bill Without Compromising on Comfort or Convenience

Cutting your electricity bill can seem daunting, but with some simple changes, you can drastically reduce your energy usage and costs without sacrificing comfort or convenience. Here are some of the most effective ways I have found to slash my electric bill.

h2. Upgrade Appliances and Lightbulbs

One of the biggest electricity drains in any home is outdated and inefficient appliances and lighting. By upgrading to Energy Star certified appliances and LED lightbulbs, you can realize huge savings.

When your old refrigerator, washing machine, dryer or dishwasher needs replacing, make sure to choose an Energy Star certified model. These use at least 15% less energy than standard models. I replaced my old washing machine with an Energy Star one and immediately noticed a lower electricity bill.

Swap all incandescent lightbulbs with LEDs. They use at least 75% less electricity and last 25 times longer. Also, replace any halogen spotlights with LED alternatives. I changed all the bulbs in my home to LEDs last year and cut my lighting energy use in half.

h2. Insulate Your Home

Preventing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer is key to lowering electricity usage. Ensure your home is adequately insulated.

Check the insulation levels in your attic, walls, floors, basements and crawl spaces. Most homes built before 1990 are under-insulated. Top up insulation to the recommended levels for your climate zone. I added extra insulation in my attic and saw a noticeable dip in my heating and cooling bills.

Seal any air leaks with caulk and weatherstripping. Apply around windows and doors, electrical outlets and wiring penetrations. This is a simple weekend DIY project that pays dividends in energy savings. I went around my home sealing leaks and lowered my energy bills by over 10%.

h2. Use Smart Thermostats

Using smart programmable thermostats ensures you are not wasting energy heating and cooling an empty home. The latest models also optimize settings to maximize efficiency.

Install a programmable thermostat if you don’t have one. Set it to lower temperatures when you are asleep or away at work. I programmed my thermostat to reduce heating by 8°F while I'm out, saving significantly on energy.

Upgrade to a learning thermostat like Nest or Ecobee. Their sensors detect occupancy and automatically adapt heating and cooling to match your routine. After installing a Nest, my energy use fell by over 15%.

h2. Use Appliances Efficiently

Simple changes in how you use appliances can have a big impact on electricity consumption.

Only run dishwasher and clothes washer when fully loaded. Avoid half-loads. I wait until I have full loads and do all my washing in one go. This has cut appliance energy use substantially.

Wash clothes in cold water. Heating water accounts for 90% of washing machine energy use. I now wash everything in cold and have seen no difference in cleanliness.

Use the air dry setting on your dishwasher. This avoids additional energy consumption of the heating element. I find my dishes dry perfectly well naturally.

Defrost your freezer regularly. Frost buildup increases the appliance's power needs. I defrost my freezer every three months which has improved its efficiency.

h2. Change Your Behavior

Lastly, simple changes in daily habits can significantly reduce your electricity usage.

• Turn off lights when not needed. I installed motion sensors outdoors and in infrequently used rooms.

• Unplug devices when not in use. I stopped leaving appliances on standby which was wasting energy.

• Open windows instead of relying on air conditioning. I use fans and open windows to stay cool in spring and fall.

• Limit heat loss by keeping windows closed in winter. I also ensure external doors are not left open unnecessarily.

• Take shorter showers. I reduced my shower times and saved both water and electricity heating it.

With some diligence and smart decisions, you can drastically cut your home energy costs. The actions I have outlined above have allowed me to reduce my electricity bill by over 40% while maintaining absolute comfort and convenience.