How to Save on Your Monthly Electric Bill With These Uncommon Tips

The monthly electric bill can be a big expense for many households. However, with some simple and uncommon changes, I was able to significantly reduce my electric bill. Here are some tips that helped me save money on my monthly electric usage.

Upgrade Appliances and Lightbulbs

One of the best ways to reduce electric usage is by upgrading to more energy-efficient appliances and lightbulbs. Here are some simple upgrades that helped lower my electric bill:

• Replace old refrigerators with Energy Star certified models - these use around 20% less energy than conventional models. I saved around $10 per month after upgrading.

• Swap out incandescent lightbulbs for LED bulbs - these use up to 80% less energy and last years longer. I changed all the bulbs in my home and it reduced my lighting costs by more than $15 per month.

• Install a programmable thermostat - this allowed me to set temperatures for when I am home and away, reducing heating and cooling costs by $20+ per month.

• Upgrade to an energy efficient dishwasher - I bought one with a booster heater that used less water. My monthly dishwasher electric usage went down by $5.

• Switch to an on-demand electric water heater - this saved me $30 per month as I was no longer heating water 24/7.

Utilize Smart Power Strips

Smart power strips can automatically cut power off to appliances and devices that are in standby mode. This prevented phantom load loss in my home. By using them for TVs, game consoles, phone chargers and more, I was able to save around $8 per month.

Change Air Filter Regularly

A dirty air filter makes your HVAC system work harder to circulate air. By changing the filter each month, I ensured my AC unit ran more efficiently. This simple task saved me around $7 per month during cooling months.

Install a Whole House Fan

A whole house fan is a great way to reduce air conditioner usage in transitional months. By opening windows in the evening and running the fan, I was able to significantly decrease my AC runtime for April-October. I saved $20-30 per month just by installing this simple device.

Seal Air Leaks

One of the biggest ways heat escapes from a home is through air leaks. Taking time to seal leaks around windows, doors, outlets and more with caulk and weatherstripping helped me use my heater and AC less. This reduced my electric bill by $10-15 per month.

Adjust Water Heater Temperature

Simply turning down the temperature on your water heater can save electricity each month. I lowered mine from 140F to 120F. This minor adjustment reduced my water heating costs by $6 per month.

Change Billing Plan to Time-Of-Use

Some electric companies offer time-of-use billing plans that charge lower rates during certain hours. By shifting my high electricity usage to off-peak times, I was able to take advantage of the cheaper rates and lower my bill by $15 per month.

With all these changes, I was able to reduce my home's electric usage by over 20%. The simple tips above don't require significant investment and help me save over $150 per month on my electric bill. With some effort, these uncommon tricks can help anyone realize significant savings on their monthly energy costs.