Cutting Utility Bills: A Stepwise Plan
Your home’s utility bills are a prime area for finding monthly savings without sacrificing comfort. A few small, consistent changes can add up to hundreds of dollars a year. Let’s break it down by electricity, gas, and water.
For your electric bill, the biggest savings often come from heating and cooling. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) suggests setting your thermostat to 68°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer when you’re home. Every degree you adjust can save you up to 3% on your heating or cooling costs. When you’re away or asleep, adjusting it a few more degrees can increase those savings significantly.
Lighting is another easy win. Old incandescent bulbs are energy hogs. Switching to Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs can cut your lighting energy use by up to 90%. An LED bulb may cost a few dollars more upfront, but it lasts up to 25 times longer and pays for itself in savings in just a few months. Look for products certified by ENERGY STAR, which is a government-backed program that guarantees energy efficiency.
Be mindful of “standby power,” also known as phantom load. This is the electricity your appliances and electronics draw even when they’re turned off. Your TV, coffee maker, and phone chargers are common culprits. Plugging these items into a power strip and flipping the strip off when not in use can save you $50 to $100 per year. When it comes to laundry, washing your clothes in cold water can dramatically reduce your machine’s energy use, as most of the power goes toward heating the water.
If you have natural gas, your water heater is likely the biggest user. Many water heaters are set to 140°F by default, which is dangerously hot and wasteful. Setting it to 120°F is sufficient for most households and can reduce your water heating costs by up to 10%. Also, have your furnace or boiler serviced annually. A clean, well-maintained system runs more efficiently and is less likely to break down.
Water conservation saves you money in two ways: on your water bill and on the energy used to heat that water. The biggest water waster in most homes is a leaky toilet. To check for a leak, put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. Wait 15 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, you have a leak, which is often caused by a worn-out flapper that costs less than $10 to replace.
Consider installing low-flow fixtures. The EPA WaterSense label identifies faucets, showerheads, and toilets that use at least 20% less water than standard models without sacrificing performance. A WaterSense-labeled showerhead can save a typical family thousands of gallons of water per year. Finally, simply shortening your shower by a couple of minutes each day can lead to noticeable savings.
Ask your utility provider about special programs. Many offer budget billing, which averages your yearly usage into a fixed monthly payment. This helps you avoid seasonal bill spikes and makes budgeting easier. They may also offer free energy audits or rebates for purchasing energy-efficient appliances.
