PJ Feinstein
From common sense tips to high-tech devices, it’s never been easier to lower your energy bills—even when the temperature outside is extreme.
Unplug unused devices
Energy vampires are plugged-in devices that draw electricity even when they’re turned off or not being used, explains Jill Caponera, a consumer savings expert for Promocodes.com. This standby power is what keeps the clock ticking on your cable box, your Amazon Echo waiting for its next “Alexa” command, and your TV’s settings in place. While that’s unarguably convenient, it can cost the average U.S. household $100 per year, according to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. You can eliminate these phantom loads simply by unplugging your devices. Caponera suggests using smart power strips that can be set to turn off at specific times of the day or during periods of inactivity.
Get smart about your thermostat
Smart thermostats can help you lower your energy bills by automatically adjusting heating and cooling settings within a range of comfortable temperatures. Some, like the ecobee4, can also adjust your home’s temperature based on whichever rooms are occupied. (Keeping rooms cool when there’s nobody in them can be a huge waste of energy.) According to Caponera, the average smart thermostat will save you $180 per year on your energy bills and will analyze your energy usage with monthly breakdowns.
Switch to energy-efficient LED lighting
Did you know that LED light bulbs can use up to 90 percent less energy than standard incandescents? Yes, they cost more upfront than ordinary bulbs, but in addition to saving you money on your electric bill, they last about 15 times longer so you won’t have to spend money replacing them.
Turn off the lights
According to Energy Star, the cost to light your home accounts for about 20 percent of your electric bill, or an average of $200 per year. If you’re guilty of always leaving the lights on, try a smart light switch like ecobee Switch+ that will automatically turn off your lights a few minutes after you leave a room. You can also use them to turn on your lights, so you don’t have to come home to a completely dark house.
Install a whole house fan
By turning off your air conditioning and using a whole house fan at night, you can save money on your energy bill in your sleep. “A whole house fan pulls in the cool night air from outside while pushing out the hot air that has been sitting in your home all day,” You could pay slightly more than $1,000 for the whole house fan and installation, but you’ll easily recoup that money with lowered energy bills, she says.
Avoid the oven
When your air conditioning unit is working to cool your house, avoid using appliances that radiate excess heat. “Opt to cook with the microwave or stove top when possible,” Better yet, fire up the grill and cook outside.
Mind your landscaping
Keezer also suggests planting leafy trees and tall shrubs on the south-facing side of your house to block some of the direct sunlight from the hot summer sun; even window boxes with flowers can help, too. And while you’re outside, make sure that there aren’t any bushes blocking air flow around your HVAC unit. It will have to work harder and longer to cool your house if overgrown shrubs are restricting the airflow.
Upgrade your shades
When picking window treatments for your home, consider insulated cellular shades, which can increase energy savings by making your windows more efficient. The Department of Energy reports that these single-cell shades, also known as honeycomb shades, can reduce heat loss in the winter by at least 40 percent and prevent unwanted solar heat in the summer by up to 80 percent. “Even better, these shades can be automated, allowing them to be programmed to rise and fall at certain times of the day to support your energy savings,” explains Brianna Goodwin
Make your windows more efficient
If you have the money, replacing old windows with energy efficient ones is a worthwhile investment, as they also add value to your home. A lower-cost option is to install window film that blocks out the summer sun’s heat, reducing demand on your cooling system, and helps keep warm indoor air from escaping during the winter.
Change your furnace filter
A clogged or dirty furnace filter can create a lot of pressure on its motors, making your furnace work harder, explains Chevie Publicover of JPS Furnace & Air Conditioning. The harder your furnace works, the more energy it uses, so start replacing the filter on a regular schedule. An app like HomeZada can create a maintenance calendar and remind you of this and other energy-saving tasks to help lower your bills.
Use less hot water
The average household spends $400 to $600 on water heating every year; that’s approximately 18 percent of your utility bills. An easy way to cut back on your hot water usage is to take shorter showers, or go a step further and install a smart shower head to monitor your water usage and temperature. Use it to turn shower time into a competition to see which family member can use the least amount of water.
Optimize your laundry routine
To conserve energy while cleaning your clothes, Sarah Hancock of BestCompany.com recommends waiting until you have a full load in the washer to run it and using lower-temperature settings. When possible, air dry your clothing rather than using the dryer, but if you do use the dryer, be sure to clean the lint trap before starting. Every once in a while, remove the vent duct that connects the back of your dryer to the outside of the house and clean that out, too.
