How to Save on Your Monthly Electric Bill Without Sacrificing Comfort or Convenience

Cutting down on your monthly electric bill can seem daunting, but with some small changes and a bit of planning, you can reduce your energy usage and costs without sacrificing comfort or convenience. Here are some tips to help you save electricity and money while still enjoying your home.

Perform an Energy Audit

The first step is to understand how and where you are using electricity in your home.

Do an energy audit by reading over your electric bills and making notes of major appliances.
Check which months have the highest usage - this will clue you in on what is using the most energy.
Use an energy monitor to identify what appliances and devices are using the most electricity.
Inspect all your lightbulbs and make notes of how many there are and what types they are.
Look for drafts, leaks, and insufficient insulation that could be leading to energy waste.
Contact your electric company - many provide free home energy audits to help identify problems.

This audit will reveal the biggest energy drains so you can effectively target those areas first.

Upgrade Lightbulbs

One of the easiest ways to reduce electricity usage is to switch to LED lightbulbs.

LEDs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
They have also gotten much more affordable in recent years.
Replace the bulbs used most often first, then tackle the rest of your home.
Consider smart bulbs that can be controlled remotely - this allows you to turn lights on and off from anywhere.

Upgrading your lightbulbs can lead to significant savings over time for very little effort.

Adjust the Thermostat

Heating and cooling accounts for a large portion of home energy bills. There are a few thermostat tweaks that can reduce the energy required to keep your home comfortable.

In the winter, lower the temperature when you are asleep or away at work. Consider setting it to 60-65°F (15-18°C).
In the summer, increase the temperature when not at home. Try 78-80°F (25-26°C).
Get a programmable thermostat to automate these adjustments.
Make sure to change HVAC filters monthly for optimal efficiency.
Have an HVAC technician inspect your unit yearly to ensure it is running efficiently.

With some simple thermostat adjustments, you can stay cozy in the winter and cool in the summer without overusing energy.

Seal Air Leaks

Gaps and cracks allow conditioned air to escape, forcing your HVAC system to work harder.

Check windows and doors for leaks - if you can see daylight or feel drafts, they need to be sealed.
Use caulk and weatherstripping to seal gaps and cracks around the home.
Inspect where plumbing, ducting, and wiring comes through walls, floors and ceilings and seal with caulk.
Check that outlet covers are intact and install foam gaskets behind switches and outlets on exterior walls.
Consider having an energy audit done to identify hidden leaks.

Sealing these overlooked gaps can pay off with big energy savings over time.

Adjust Water Heater Temperature

Water heating accounts for about 18% of home energy use. Turning down your water heater is an easy way to save.

For most families, setting the temperature to 120°F/48°C is adequate.
Install heat traps on the hot and cold pipes - they prevent heat loss.
Insulate exposed hot water lines to reduce cooling.
Buy an insulating water heater blanket.
When away for several days, turn the temperature down even more.

With a simple dial turn, you can reduce your water heating costs without any real change to your daily routine.

Making strategic upgrades and schedule changes tailored to how you use energy in your home will allow you to save significantly on your electric bill. The key is focusing on the biggest energy drains first. With some diligence, creativity and commitment to change, you can reduce your energy usage and costs without sacrificing comfort or convenience.