{"id":35656,"date":"2026-04-19T02:09:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T02:09:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indafunds.com\/?p=35656"},"modified":"2026-04-19T02:09:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T02:09:43","slug":"how-to-save-on-your-electric-bill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indafunds.com\/?p=35656","title":{"rendered":"How to Save on Your Electric Bill"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Between the washer, the dryer, the fridge, the dishwasher, the soothing salt lamp and all our plugged-in devices, we use\u00a0a lot<\/em>\u00a0of energy every day. In fact, Americans spend an average of $142.26 on electricity per month, or $1,707.12 per year.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

The good news? You have way more control over your electricity use than you think. With a few simple changes, you can lower your bill and keep more money in your pocket all year long.<\/p>\n

Why Your Electric Bill Is So High<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If your electric bill feels out of control, you\u2019re not imagining it. Heating and cooling use a huge amount of energy\u2014especially when the seasons change and your system has to work harder. Add in things like lighting your home, running big appliances, and keeping everyday gadgets plugged in, and the costs stack up fast. The good news? Most of these energy drains are easier to tackle than you think.<\/p>\n

Now let\u2019s get practical. Here are some simple, game-changing ways to cut your electricity use and lower that bill\u2014starting today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Entire Home<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Lighting<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Heating and Cooling<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Laundry<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Kitchen<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Do an electricity audit.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Turn off lights you\u2019re not using.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Program your thermostat.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Do laundry with cold water.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Air-dry your dishes.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Reduce phantom energy.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Switch out lightbulbs.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Check for air leaks.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Line dry when you can.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Adjust your refrigerator.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Avoid using electricity during peak hours.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Choose affordable solar options.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Replace your air filter.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Clean out your lint trap.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Keep your freezer full.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Ask your electric company about discounts.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Keep doors and blinds closed.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Only run appliances when full.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Use smaller appliances to heat food.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Lower the hot water heater temperature.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\u00a0<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\u00a0<\/td>\n\n

Keep your oven closed.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Whole-Home Electricity Savings Tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You don\u2019t have to overhaul your whole house to see savings. A few smart tweaks can stop the money leaks you didn\u2019t even know were happening. These quick wins make a real difference\u2014no major tools or major budget required.<\/p>\n

1. Do an electricity audit.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The average U.S. household uses 10,356 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year.2<\/sup>\u00a0But every household is different. That\u2019s why it\u2019s a good idea to do an electricity audit. Now, don\u2019t let the word\u00a0audit<\/em>\u00a0scare you. Basically, this audit just means looking over the electricity usage in your home.<\/p>\n

To get the most accurate audit, call in an expert from your local electric company. Many offer this service for free (or at a super low cost)! You can also search for free online electricity audit tools and do a simple version on your own.<\/p>\n

Some of what you find will be quick, cheap fixes to lower your electric bill (like sealing a window or unclogging an air duct). Others might mean investing in energy-efficient appliances. But before you make any big purchases, run numbers to see if it\u2019s worth it for your budget, your future savings, and even the\u00a0resale value of your home!<\/p>\n

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2. Reduce phantom energy.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

No, we\u2019re not talking about ghosts here. We\u2019re talking about phantom energy (aka standby power). It\u2019s what happens when appliances or electronics use up energy even when they\u2019re turned off or not running. Phantom energy makes up 5\u201310% of residential electricity use\u2014for nothing.3<\/sup>\u00a0Now\u00a0that\u2019s<\/em>\u00a0scary.<\/p>\n

So, start unplugging those devices and appliances when you\u2019re not using them. This goes for toasters, coffeemakers, printers,\u00a0cell phone\u00a0chargers, hair dryers and DVD players\u2014they\u2019re all energy vampires. You\u2019ll be surprised how much money you\u2019ll save on your electric bill when they\u2019re no longer zapping the energy in your home.<\/p>\n

3. Avoid using electricity during peak hours.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most power companies charge more when the electricity demand is at its highest. That said, try to avoid doing your laundry or running high-energy appliances during peak hours (usually in the evening when people get off work).<\/p>\n

It may not be the most convenient, but it can help cut your electric bill way down. For peak hours in your area, check your local electric company\u2019s time-of-use rates.<\/p>\n

Source: San Diego Gas & Electric Company, 2024<\/p>\n

4. Ask your electric company about discounts.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We all love a good discount, right? So check with your local electric company to see if there are any special savings available to help you\u00a0save on this home expense. If you don\u2019t ask, you\u2019ll never know!<\/p>\n

Some companies give discounts for going paperless. Others give rebates based on any energy-saving improvements you make to your home. Plus, if you sign up for their newsletters, they\u2019ll probably share tips and tricks that can help you save even\u00a0more\u00a0<\/em>on your electric bill.<\/p>\n

5. Lower the hot water heater temperature.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most people don\u2019t know if their water temperature is too high\u2014or even that they can manually change it. But if your water temperature is set too high, you could be wasting $36\u201361 each year.4<\/sup> And if you have a gas water heater, turning the temperature down can also lower your gas bill since you\u2019re using less energy to keep water piping hot all day.<\/p>\n

Most water heaters are automatically set to 140 degrees. While that\u2019s fine, it can be a safety hazard because the water gets scalding hot. You really only need water as hot as 120 degrees, especially if your dishwasher has its own internal heating system.<\/p>\n

Lighting Tips That Reduce Your Electric Bill<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Lights seem small, but they add up fast\u2014especially when they\u2019re left on all over the house. A few simple upgrades and habits can trim your bill and still keep your home bright and cozy.<\/p>\n

6. Turn off lights you\u2019re not using.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Keeping the lights on when they\u2019re not in use is a real drain on your electricity\u2014and\u00a0your budget.\u00a0Here\u2019s the math on that:<\/p>\n