Crushed Under Gas, Electricity, and Water Bills? Here Are 8 Easy Ways to Save Money

Last year was one of the warmest summers on record, and this year may be no different. That means we’ll be turning down our thermostats more often and more urgently. With electricity and energy prices If costs remain high, you can expect to spend hundreds of dollars on utilities each month, no matter how you look at it.

If those higher prices are starting to take a toll on your budget, you can make changes to reduce your energy usage and lower your bills. Even small habits like disconnect unused devices, wash your clothes an other way, to cook with certain energy-saving devices or set your thermostat to the right temperature you can save some money and make your home more efficient.

Here are eight steps you can take to start saving electricity, gas, water — and cash. For additional money-saving tips, see how to draught excluder your home to save on bills and a simple home upgrade that can help you save on cooling costs in the summer.

1. Have an electrical audit performed

Many electric companies offer a free audit, where they will examine your home room by room and look at your electric bills to determine where you are wasting energy. You can follow their recommendations to lower your electric bill. If you can’t get a free audit, you may still qualify under the energy efficient home improvement loan and recoup the costs during tax season.

Even if your electric company doesn’t offer this service, you can easily perform an energy audit for your home yourself using the US Department of Energy instructions on the website.

2. Adjust your thermostat

One of the easiest ways to lower your electric bill is to adjust your thermostat. According to the Ministry of Energyyou can save up to 10% on your heating and cooling costs by adjusting your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day. In other words, keep it a little warmer in the summer and a little cooler in the winter.

An easy way to do this is to adjust your thermostat when you are asleep or away from home. If you have a smart thermostatYou can set the thermostat to adjust during these hours so you don’t forget.

3. Turn down your boiler

Many water heater manufacturers set the thermostat at 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 C). But in reality, most homes only need to set the thermostat to a maximum of 120 F. By setting your water heater to a lower temperature, you can save hundreds of dollars a year.

Adjusting the temperature of a boiler is a quick and easy solution. The thermostatic valve on your water heater is likely located at the bottom of the tank on the electric or gas control valve. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on adjusting it — and if you have any questions, consult a professional technician.

4. Switch off and unplug the power cord from the outlet you are not using

Leaving appliances in your home plugged in and on when not in use will unnecessarily increase your energy bill.

You can start by turning off the lights when you are not in the room or when it is bright enough outside to rely on natural light alone. Incandescent bulbs consume 4 cents per hour for 40 watts (although the average American probably pays more). That amount only increases with the wattage of the bulb. While it may not seem like much, it can certainly add up over time.

You can also save money by unplugging appliances that you’re not using. Phantom power, the energy your appliances use when they’re plugged in but not turned on, can save you money on average. $100 per year.

5. Use your dishwasher

It may sound counterintuitive to suggest that you should run an appliance to save on your energy bill. And yes, there was a time when dishwashers used a lot more water than they do now. But the Ministry of Energy regulates how much water modern dishwashers can use. Any dishwasher manufactured since 2013 can use up to 5 gallons of water. If it is a compact dishwasher, it can use up to 3.5 gallons.

You would think that you would use less than 5 gallons of water to wash your dishes by hand. But the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that it uses somewhere between 9 to 27 gallons water to wash a load of dishes by hand. (If you’re curious, we also have a tip about how to properly load your dishwasher.)

6. Take advantage of off-peak rates

Electricity consumption is usually higher during certain times of the day and the year. First, demand is higher in winter and summer, when people turn on the heaters and air conditioners. Demand is also higher during the day and in the evening.

Some electric companies offer time-of-use plans, where rates are raised during peak hours and lowered during off-peak hours. If you have one of these plans, you can save money by using major appliances, such as your dishwasher and washing machine early in the morning or late in the evening.

7. Replace your air filters

Your air filter helps trap dirt, dust, pet hair, and more so it doesn’t end up in your HVAC. If you don’t do this, your air filter will replace your air filters regularly Enough, this debris gets into your HVAC system and slows it down, reducing its efficiency. According to the Department of Energy, replacing your filters on time can reduce your air conditioner’s energy consumption by anywhere from 5% to 15%. (Here is how much you can save by replacing your heating filterat.)

8. More ways to save on your bills

There are many steps, big and small, you can take to reduce your consumption and save money on your bills. Ministry of Energy has an entire section on its website dedicated to giving you tips to help you save energy. And while many of these tips come at a price, there are many more that are free, just like the ones on this list.

For more information, see the ceiling fan trick that can help keep your home cooler this summer. Also check out our overview of solar energy tips.

More tips to save energy and money