Get ready to score some serious savings on your electric bill with these Easy Ways to Save on Heating Costs and Electricity!
Looking for Easy Ways to Save on Heating Costs, Electricity, and your Air Conditioning Bill?? Whether it’s chilly nights in the Winter, or scorching days in the Summer, these simple tips and tricks will save you SO much!
With chilly days, freezing nights, and shorter daylight hours in the Winter, it seems like this is one bill that has a way of just spiraling out of control, right? I spent over 20 years growing up in the chilly North, so I know just how quickly those bills can soar.
And honestly, now that I’m in Arizona, my electric bill is by far my largest utility bill here in AZ. With summer temps averaging over 100 degrees for 4 months+, the A/C gets a really good workout all Summer long. So I’m always looking for ways to lower the electricity usage in the Summer, too!
So are you ready to tackle your electricity bill head-on? It’s time to save money on electricity and these savings are for real. For instance, just adding some extra insulation to your home, and sealing the doors and windows can save you up to $80 per month on your electric bill! Cha-ching!
Go check out some simple ways to score some real savings on your electric bill with help from these simple tricks…
Ways to Save on Heating Costs
Check out these easy ways to save on heating costs and electricity…
How to Save Money on Air Conditioning Bill:
Are you ready to save BIG on your AC bill? Here’s what you need to do…
Know Your Plan! {Peak vs Non-Peak}
Make sure you know the details of your utility plan, and if there are peak or non-peak hours you need to be aware of. For example, we’re on a saver plan that allows cheaper electricity in the mornings, early afternoons, and late evenings. So during the peak hours where the rates skyrocket, I make sure to keep the A/C off if I can. I also try to only run the laundry and dishwasher during the inexpensive off-peak hours. The variable price between peak and off-peak hours on our plan is extreme, so this really saves a bundle!
Alicia writes: “We have a plan with our electric company. We get a discounted rate for almost the whole day, but between 3pm – 6pm we pay a premium. The way this works for us is that we use almost no electricity between 3pm – 6pm, specifically air conditioning/heating. A computer and TV are okay, because they use a low amount of energy. We don’t completely turn off the air or heat because it will work too hard later on when we turn it back on.”
Open Your Doors or Windows Early Morning or Late Evening
Patti writes: “Try opening doors & windows when it’s warm but not HOT.”
Turn the AC Off & Ceiling Fan ON!
Another simple trick in the summer is to turn your A/C temporarily off, or just up a few extra degrees and install a ceiling fan to help cool the rooms you are using. We have ceiling fans in every bedroom as well as our living room, and they make SUCH a difference!
Indoor Ceiling Fans
Mona writes: “I use fans in the Summer with my windows open… I HATE A/C… my highest electric bill was $86”
Keep Curtains & Blinds Closed Certain Times of the Day
On those hot scorcher summer days, heat can easily sneak in to your home through your windows. So be sure to keep your curtains and blinds closed on the windows that are getting blasted with sunshine. It will help keep that room SO much cooler! If you’re leaving the house for awhile or heading to work, don’t forget to close those curtains or blinds before you go! If you don’t like a dark room, consider installing blinds that still let a little light in. The blinds pictured above had already been installed in our home before we bought it, and I just love them!
Turn the Oven Off to Keep the Kitchen Cool!
Ovens can heat up your home several degrees, so change up your dinnertime routine in the Summer to keep that kitchen cool! Here are some of my favorite Summer dinner ideas to keep the oven off…
Best BBQ and Grilling Recipes
Fire up the grill outside! It will keep the kitchen cool, and you know dinner is going to be delicious, too!
Summer Crockpot Recipes
Easy Sandwich Recipes
Jane said: “Plant evergreen trees on the north side of your house.”
Angie said: “Live in a small house 🙂 ”
Related: Creative Storage Solutions for Small Homes
More Easy Ways to Save Money on Electricity:
Somy writes: “I try to run our dishwasher at night time, saves on electricity. Anytime after 7pm, rates are lower on my plan.”
Bobbie writes: “Let your dishes air dry with the door open instead of using the heat dry on the dishwasher. Also wash and dry clothes or dishes early in the morning.”
Frugal tip: Make sure to fill up your dishwasher before running it. It that means not running it every day, that’s okay… you’ll save BIG running it less often!
Frugal tip: In the kitchen, make sure to keep your fridge door open for as little time as possible. That will save money on your refrigerator having to work harder to cool itself back down.
Wash Laundry in Cold Water
Ang writes: “I started washing 98% of my loads of laundry on cold.”
Skip the Dryer, and Hang Dry Your Clothes!
Jeryl writes: “I’ve been hanging clothes on the line for a few years now; have seen a marked reduction in my electric bill by not using the dryer. I still use it for whites, however. Secondly, we installed a timer on the hot water heater to come on twice (a.m./p.m.) a day. There is enough hot water for my shower in the a.m., dishes & hubby’s p.m. shower.”
8 Benefits of Drying Clothes Outside
Don’t want to dry your clothes outside? It’s still a good idea to avoid running your clothes dryer longer than necessary, so consider air drying clothes in your home using this Laundry Drying Rod tip.
Easy Hack: Laundry Drying Rod for Small Spaces
Pamela writes: “I live in a condo and purchased a small retractable clothes line that runs diagonal on my deck. When it’s sunny, I hang out clothes to dry, like my Mom and Grandmother used to do! Even if they don’t completely dry… at least I saved some electricity.”
Katie writes: “We turn down the water heater after showers are done in the morning. Then it goes back up the next morning.”
Time Those Showers!
Frugal tip: Long, hot showers can be a luxury, but can sure be costly, too! Save those for occasionally, and make your daily habit a shorter shower. You can even put an old kitchen timer in your bathroom to go off to remind you when your time is up!
Melisa writes: “Take military showers – only have the water on to get you wet and rinse off the soap. This saves you money on water and heat. We’ve seen a difference in our bill.”
Save the most money when you switch to Energy Efficient Light Bulbs in the light fixtures you use the most.
Unplug Electronics not being used.
Sheryl writes: “LED lightbulbs cut my bill over 25%!”
Olga writes: “I try to limit my use of lights and when I do use them, I definitely use energy saving lightbulbs! And for reading, I purchased a book light. It stays powered up for many days after charging. Great thing to have for evenings!”
Jennifer writes: “Chasing my kids around the house to turn off lights is the only thing that works at our house. LOL… Our rule is if you leave a room turn off the light/TV/radio and shut the door.”
Davina writes: “If you have kids that won’t turn off lights (or are forgetful about it yourself…) replace your light switches with Programmable Timer Switches. Also we string LED Christmas lights year round and have them on timers to come on early in the morning while we’re getting ready for work/school and in the evening when we’re relaxing in the living room watching movies at the end of the day.. uses much less energy then the overhead lights and no one has to remember to turn them off.”
Jill writes: “Use compact fluorescent lights (CFL), and programmable timers. On the interior sides of exterior walls, install gaskets around the light and electrical plates.”
Sara writes: “We plugged our TV, DVD and stereo into a power strip and then turn off the power strip at night or whenever not in use. What made this easy was that we plugged it into a top outlet, which is controlled by the switch on the wall – very easy to just “flip the switch.” Anything with a remote or digital screen is always “on” even when not using very much power. We also checked out for free at our library a Wattage meter which told us how much each appliance used in “on mode” and even in the “off mode” – definitely an eye opener.”
Sarah writes: “If you’ve got an extra freezer, unplug your Extra Freezer when it’s not in use. We have one in the garage that we unplug during the hot summer months to save money”
How to Save Money on Heating Bill:
One of my favorite ways to save on heating costs is to install a Programmable Thermostat and set it to ensure you are using minimal heating and cooling when not at home. According to Energy Star, this can save up to $180 per year! {cha-ching!}
Programmable Thermostats
Turn the Heat Down & Use a Wood Burning Stove!
Megan writes: “Burn wood! My husband cuts dead trees down to make extra money in the summer, and almost always gets to keep the wood! We have made our money back on our wood burner, and are now saving money since we haven’t turned the furnace on at all. The house stays between 68-72 degrees and we live in WI!”
Mona writes: “I use a wood stove and fireplace in the winter.”
Erica writes: “We switched to a wood stove. We also use a heat pump normally for supplemental heat. Next on my list is to insulate our house better.”
Or Opt for a Gas Fireplace with Fan!
Whitney writes: “We have propane heat. We save money by turning off the furnace at night, and run Space Heaters in the bedrooms. We also use some electric heaters during the day, and just stay in our play room to conserve heat. This has kept our electric bill to about $120 a month and we only use about 20% of our propane tank.”
Use Cozy Throw Blankets in your Living Room! I love snuggling up with my Sherpa Blankets on the couch or chairs… they’re such a simple way to warm up on a chilly day! SO cozy!
In the winter, one of the easiest ways to save on heating costs is to use an Extra Blanket on your Bed {or two} to stay warm at night. You’ll be snug as a bug in a rug! Or even better yet, just warm and cozy in your comfy bed!
Terry writes: “Leave the oven door open after you’ve used it. Also leave the bathroom door open while you take a shower and use blankets while you sit to watch TV. We have a mattress that warms with your body heat, so we don’t even have the heat on in the bedroom.”
Bethany writes: “We have a programmable thermostat that goes to 60 degrees at night. We also close the vents to those rooms that are not in use. I also put plastic up on the windows of the colder rooms, it is temporary and works well if you can get past the hassle of getting it up!”
Carole writes: “See if your power company offers EPP. Equal payment plan. We pay the same amount every month based on a 12 month average. No surprise heating bills in the winter.”
Diane writes: “Keep your thermostat low and put on a sweater or sweatshirt. Add an extra blanket at night.”
Put on Extra Layers of Cozy Clothes
Another one of my favorite ways to save on heating costs… if it’s chilly outside, turn the heat down several degrees and bundle up with extra layers of clothing.
Tina writes: “Turn your Thermostat down and go to someone else’s house that likes to keep it toasty. If you’re lucky, they might feed you, too 🙂 ”
Shut your Curtains and Blinds to keep out heat in the summer and the cold in the winter. Blackout Curtains are my favorite!! They also make it so much easier to sleep when it’s bright outside!
Beckie writes: “Invest in the thermal lined curtains for your windows. I can’t begin to tell you how much I saved. Also keep your thermostat at a constant temperature. I leave mine on all day and night, set between 60-64. The home stays warm, even the old drafty house I live in. I’ve seen a significant difference in heating costs.”
Jill writes: “Make sure the attic is also well insulated.”
Use a Door Draft Stopper to keep cool {or hot} air out of the house.
Consider adding extra insulation to your attic. In Phoenix, R-38 insulation (or about 14.5″ of blown insulation) is recommended, but frequently an older home will only have 3″-4″ of insulation, making the home cost more to cool and heat. We had extra insulation blown in, and really noticed the difference!
Make sure your doors and windows have a good seal to prevent air leaks. For doors with air leaks, consider replacing the Weather Stripping. For windows, consider adding Caulk to stop air leaks.
Christie writes: “Check for drafts around windows and doors. This can be done with a lit candle. While holding the candle still, watch for movement in the flame or for the flame to blow out. If there are drafts, consider replacing weatherstripping or using plastic sheeting on the inside (or outside) of windows.”
Jane writes: “Install new windows, use Good Curtains, wear Wool Socks and good Cozy Sweaters.”
B.J. writes: “Don’t heat OR cool an empty house!”
Luci writes: “Check for drafts. Caulk and weatherstrip where needed. In one apartment we had, we didn’t realize how much heating and cooling we were losing along the outside wall. I carefully inspected where cold winter air was pouring into the room. Most was coming in the spaces where the brick and drywall met. I used expanding foam for those areas. The room felt a good 20 degrees warmer after that. Usually, leaks will be at windows and doors where caulk or weatherstripping might be worn. Some outlets also might not have enough insulation. Ask a home improvement store for tips. Some will run free workshops to show you how to prep your home.”
Erin writes: “Seriously – our biggest heat saving measure was building our house with SIPs panels. Keeps the house nice and warm.”
Bekki writes: “Plastic over the windows helps, and it is even better if you buy the kits in the Spring! They go on clearance from $10 down to $2!”
Chrisann writes: “Move to Florida….no heat needed! 🙂 ”
Patti writes: “Favorite ways to help cut the heat/air bills: COLD? a couple of goose down comforters (yes, in FL – it DOES get cold here)”
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Now that you’ve scored these fun tips for east ways to save on heating costs and electricity, don’t miss out on any other tips coming your way! You can catch all the latest Frugal Tips, Recipes + more right here…
So do YOU have any tips or tricks for Ways to Save on Heating Costs or Electricity?
Leave a comment & share!
Shammy Peterson says
I loved Megan’s suggestion of burning wood in winter to keep the heating bills low. We live near the forest, and it’s fairly easy to get wood from dead trees if we want. I’ll be sure to consider this option this winter. We’ll be getting a heating system installed soon because I think it’s safer. But whenever the kids are not around, the husband and I will use a wood burner.
Roi says
Just a quick tip that is overlooked by most people. If you live in an energy deregulated state then you can choose your own energy supplier.
Find out what your monthly usage is, and shop for a plan that offers the most savings for your SPECIFIC usage. Don’t get trapped with the low advertised rates, because the small text and hidden fees will creep in.
You need to run your usage against several different plans and sign up for the one that offers you the cheapest monthly bill – after all fees, credits, and discounts have been added in.
Heidi says
Yes… that’s such a great tip, and simple way to save more money! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Ivy Baker says
I hate being super cold all the time and I have a hard time sleeping when my room is super cold. So I liked that you talked about how it would be smart to have a programmable thermostat. That does seem like it would allow me to increase the heat in the winter at night. That way, I don’t have to get up in the middle of the night to change it.
Yamuna kutty says
Great.tips. I use almost all of them except drying clothes indoors. I found they give out too much moisture resulting in mildew. All summer, I launder only on good sunny days. Here, in Newfoundland, there aren’t too many of those even in Summer. So, a sunny day is big laundry day!
When the electric company finds less money coming in, they hike up the price. Some excuse always crops up. Our bills will be going up soon, even with the low price of OIL! go figure. There is an excuse!
Carla Kelly says
I recycle the hangers from the store when we buy jeans, because most stores throw them away. I use them to dry clothes on the shower rod in the winter. It also adds a little bit of moisture to the air in the dry winter months. Then you can just fluff your jeans for a few minutes in the dryer if you like them softer.
Anne from Pintesting says
Hello from sunny Florida! We keep our air conditioning bills lower by caulking and such like you do up north for heat. It also helps a lot to unplug appliances that aren’t in use like coffee pots and such. That saves us about $40 each month. We also don’t leave the doors open when the A.C. is on. It sounds silly, but it’s a common problem down here. The people who used to live in our home had $300 electric bills, we’ve cut it to $130 by using common sense.
Great post!
Heidi says
Those are some great tips, Anne… thanks for sharing!
len says
putting a old beach towel under the doors where you see light or feel any cold air saves you a lot in heating costs make sure towel is tight up to the door.
Ramie Hayden says
We removed the wood trim moulding around our windows. Then filled the gaps with spray insulation foam that you buy at Home Depot in a can. We trimmed it flat with a sharp knife after it dried and rehung the wood trim. We filled around the electrical outlets on exterior walls too. Be careful as this stuff really sticks to your skin as well! You may want to practice spraying it on a board before using it in your house. A little goes a long way!
Venessa says
Nobody mentioned a heater blanket. I just bought one a week ago and wondered if anyone had a huge success with this. How about a heater switch/timer? Does that work? My Mom believes that switching the heater off during the day has saved her lots of $$
handcar says
My wife and I got a water filter system (Reverse Osmosis). The garage is 3 steps lower and behind the wall of the kitchen sink. Instead of draining the waste water (which is still very clean) into the drain, it runs to fill up our clothes washer. So, drink great water and the water that bypasses, fills up the wash bin over the next few days. Pour soap n’ throw the clothes in. Saves us many gallons of water every month while we still wash clothes.
steph says
We have a fairly small house. During the winter we don’t run our main heater. We have an oil space heater in the bedroom for when we sleep and a regular space heater in the bathroom. When we go to bed we leave the bedroom door open and use a fan to circulate the warm air throughout the house.