Skip to main content

    Cut Your Electric Bill

    Save $30-100/month — no big upfront cost.

    The big watt hogs (in most homes)

    • Heating & cooling — 40-50% of bill. Set 2 degrees higher in summer, 2 lower in winter.
    • Water heater — 14%. Drop tank temp from 140 to 120°F. Saves $40/year.
    • Old fridge — pre-2001 fridges cost $150+/year more than new ones.
    • Dryer — air-dry one load/week, save $70/year.
    • Always-on devices (cable box, gaming consoles, old desktops) — $100-200/year combined.

    Free / cheap fixes (this week)

    1. Swap remaining bulbs to LED — $2-4/bulb. Pays back in 6 months.
    2. Wash clothes in cold water. Saves $60/year, no quality loss.
    3. Unplug the second fridge in the garage. Or replace with chest freezer (1/3 the energy).
    4. Lower water heater to 120°F (dial on the front of tank).
    5. Clean dryer vent — clogged vents drive runtime up 30%.
    6. Add smart plugs ($10-15) on cable box, TV, gaming consoles. Auto-off overnight.

    Time-of-use rates

    Many utilities now offer time-of-use plans. Power costs less at night and on weekends. If you can run dishwasher/laundry off-peak, you save 15-30%.

    • Call your utility OR check their website for "time-of-use" or "TOU" plan.
    • Best for retired people who can pick when to run appliances.
    • Some plans have "supercheap" overnight rates — 2-7 AM.

    Free home energy audit

    Most utility companies offer FREE home energy audits. They send a tech who finds drafts, checks insulation, recommends fixes. Often comes with free LED bulbs, smart thermostat rebates, and weatherstripping.

    Search "[your utility name] free energy audit" or call customer service.

    Income-based help

    • LIHEAP — federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance. Pays $300-1,000+/year.
    • Weatherization Assistance Program — free insulation and air sealing.
    • Senior discounts — many utilities offer 10-30% off for seniors. Ask.
    • Apply at energyhelp.us or call 211.

    The $5 audit

    Buy a Kill A Watt meter ($25 on Amazon — or borrow from your local library). Plug appliances into it. See exactly what each one costs per month. Most people are shocked at the cable box and old fridge.