12 Easy Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill - Organization Obsessed (2024)

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12 Easy Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill - Organization Obsessed (1)

I have to admit, I am not the most savvy person when it comes to saving money around the home. I typically walk out of our bedroom and leave the closet light on, only to come back a few hours later and realize I am wasting electricity. Whoops.

But once I started to get our finances and budget in order I realized I had to make a change. We were spending $150 – $200 a month on just our electric bill. I guiltily looked at those numbers and realized that part of my huge electric bill contributed to me being lazy.

So, I set out on a mission to drastically cut my electric bill and start saving money, but the easy way. There was no way my husband was going to let me cut the cord on cable or stop using the dishwasher so we had to find simple and easy ways to stop using so much power.

After some research and experimenting, I found 12 Easy Ways to Save Money Your Electric Bill!

Install Socket Sealers

I had never heard of socket sealers until I started doing some research but it makes perfect sense that these things work so well. Basically, it is a seal that goes between your electric socket and your socket cover.

You would be surprised how drafty sockets can be and how much warm or cold air you lose in them. Socket Sealers on cost a few bucks and take just a few minutes to install! It is basically a no-brainer, you need them!

Use A Power Strip

Did you know that everything you have plugged in still draws power even if it is turned off? That means the stand mixer you have plugged in but rarely use is costing you money! Or the DVD player that you only use a couple times a month! All of these appliances and electronics you have plugged in around your home are sucking power and costing you money.

Unplugging these items is the easiest way to keep these items from using power, but sometimes it is a hassle to get to the plug you need. A simple and easy solution to this is using a Smart Power Strip. A Smart Power Strip is different from a regular Power Strip. This smart power strip turns off the power to selected devices when not in use. It is great for entertainment centers and computer workspaces!

Around the rest of your home, you can use a regular power strip! I like to have my bedside lamp and cell phone charger plugged into a regular power strip. When I wake up in the morning I just turn off the power strip so that my lamp and charger are not using power throughout the day when not in use!

Use Draft Blockers

Remember those long bean bag tubes your granny used to lay in front of her doors and windows? Well, it turns out those actually have an awesome purpose and you don’t need to be a granny to use them! They are called draft blockers and they block drafts underneath doors or in window seals. You Can Find Them Here!

Change Your Air Filters

I know it is hard to justify changing your air filters often since they are so pricey, but it actually saves money on your heating and air bill! When your air filter is dirty your A/C unit has to work harder. That means it uses more power and raises your electricity bill. That is not what we want!

But what if I told you that you can save up to 15% on your air filters and have them delivered directly to your door! Amazon has this AMAZING subscribe and save program! If you have 5 items delivered every month you can save 15%! That means if you sign up and have a 6 pack of air filters delivered every 6 months you will save 15% everytime you order!

Try Amazon Prime for FREE by clicking below!

Use Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

We used to have regular lightbulbs in our home and I knew they were energy suckers. When we finally decided to do something about it and switch out our lightbulbs for energy efficient bulbs we used these lightbulbs. I honestly don’t remember the last time I changed a lightbulb since we installed these bulbs.

Energy efficient light bulbs are brighter than regular light bulbs plus they last longer! It’s a win-win!

To save money we didn’t replace all of our bulbs at one time. As one went out we would replace it. Or in our light bars when one went out we would replace them all so they would match. No reason to spend a bunch of money to switch over. Just changing a few bulbs at a time will still save you money on your electric bill!

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Do you leave your A/C running during the day so you can come home to a cold house? Letting your A/C or heat run all day can cost you a ton of money! Instead, have a programmable thermostat installed. You can set your thermostat to dial itself up or down at a certain time of the day.

We like to set our thermostat to go down 6-8 degrees when we leave and then come back up to our desired temperature 30 minutes before we return home. We have this thermostat installed in our home and love it!

Use Smaller Appliances

Keep your oven off and use a toaster oven or a crock pot instead! Both of these are much more energy efficient and will save you a ton of money in the long run!

Hang Your Clothes To Dry

While hanging up your clothes makes laundry a little more time consuming, chances are you are probably already hanging up a least some delicate. So why not hang up the pants and t-shirts you are throwing in the dryer and save a little more energy?

You can make hanging your clothes to dry even easier by using a retractable clothes drying rack. Just hang it your wall and hang your individual items when needed! When you are not drying clothes it can easily be stored away!

Use Fans Instead Of The A/C

Cooling your home in the summer is expensive! On days that are not so humid us your ceiling fan to cool your home or a portable fan! Using a fan cost much less than running our air conditioner. You will be saving a ton on your electric bill!

Dress For The Weather

Are you the type that likes to wear shorts and a t-shirt in the winter but has your heat cranked up to 74? (<<That’s me!) This is a bad habit and is leading to higher electric bills!

Just by wearing sweatpants and a long sleeve shirt instead of shorts you will stay warmer and would be comfortable with the thermostat turned down.

Wash Clothes In Cold Water

Washing your clothes in cold water and a full load will save you so much money! You won’t have to worry about how much it is going to cost to fill our hot water tank back up and to heat it! I like to was a full load of clothes in cold water and a short cycle for maximum savings!

Seal Your Windows

A ton of heat goes out your windows. If you have cracks around the edges, money is flying right out the window. By caulking around the edges and making sure they have a good seal you can save a decent amount on your electric bill!

By implementing these easy steps you can start saving a ton of money on your electric bill! Do you have any other tips to save money on your electric bill or other utilities? Comment below and let me know!

12 Easy Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill - Organization Obsessed (2)

12 Easy Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill - Organization Obsessed (2024)

FAQs

What runs your electric bill up the most? ›

Which home appliances use the most electricity?
  1. Heating and cooling: 45-50% The largest electricity consumer in the average household is your heating and cooling appliance. ...
  2. Water heater: 12% ...
  3. Lighting: 9-12% ...
  4. Refrigerator: 8% ...
  5. Washer and dryer: 5% ...
  6. Electric oven: 3% ...
  7. Dishwasher: 2% ...
  8. TV and cable box: 2%
Dec 20, 2022

Which is the best practice to reduce your electric bill? ›

Try these effective ways to lower your bill.
  • Replace your showerhead.
  • Wash clothes in warm or cold water.
  • Adjust the temperature on your water heater.
  • Purchase energy-efficient appliances.
  • Ask about discounted rates.
  • Switch to LED lighting.
  • Install dimmer switches.
  • Use smart power strips.
Jan 4, 2024

What is using so much electricity in my house? ›

What costs the most on your electric bill? Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.

How to decrease electricity usage? ›

Tips for Saving on Your Electric Bill
  1. Turn Down Your Thermostat. It's one of the most effective ways to cut your energy usage. ...
  2. Take Care of Your Furnace. ...
  3. Keep the Cold Out. ...
  4. Turn Down the Tank. ...
  5. Cook Smart. ...
  6. Think Before You Wash and Dry Clothes. ...
  7. Reduce Phantom Load.

What wastes the most electricity in a house? ›

What Can I Unplug? These Household Items Cost the Most Electricity
  • Cooling and heating: 47% of energy use.
  • Water heater: 14% of energy use.
  • Washer and dryer: 13% of energy use.
  • Lighting: 12% of energy use.
  • Refrigerator: 4% of energy use.
  • Electric oven: 3-4% of energy use.
  • TV, DVD, cable box: 3% of energy use.
Sep 1, 2022

Do you save electricity by unplugging? ›

While unplugging appliances can reduce your energy costs, you have to decide whether the savings are worth it. The United States Department of Energy estimates that you can save $100 per year on your energy bill by unplugging your appliances. That comes out to $8.33 per month (or about 27 cents per day).

What is phantom electricity usage? ›

Phantom power, also known as standby power, refers to the electricity consumed by certain electrical appliances and devices when we are not using them. Even if an appliance or electronic is in standby mode, it will continue to consume electricity as long as it is connected to the general supply network.

What is the best first step for reducing energy consumption? ›

The first step to reduce your energy consumption and emissions is to measure and analyze how much energy your plant uses and where it goes. You can conduct an energy audit to identify the sources of energy waste, such as leaks, losses, inefficiencies, or outdated equipment.

Do energy saving devices really work? ›

They often claim you can reduce or even eliminate your power bill by plugging in their devices around your home. The fact is, there is nothing that you can plug in that will reduce your electricity usage and lower your household power bill.

What would cause my electric usage to double? ›

Some of the most common reasons for increased electric bills include changes in the weather, increased electricity use, and rate increases from your utility company.

What uses more electricity TV or light? ›

TV Power Consumption vs.

So, the light bulb wins, hands down. But in terms of cost, it's really much closer. Compared to an LED TV, a 60-watt incandescent lightbulb that produces 800 lumens working for 5 hours a day with an average electricity rate of . 12 cents per kWh will cost $13.14 to run all year.

Does a fan use a lot of electricity? ›

A typical fan consumes between 50 and 100 Watts per hour. Above everything, this is an interesting saving, when you consider that standard air conditioning consumes around 700 watts per hour. This means that not only can you save on installing expensive air con, but your electricity bill will also benefit.

What are 5 ways to reduce electricity use? ›

Table of contents
  • Replace your light bulbs.
  • Use smart power strips.
  • Install a programmable or smart thermostat.
  • Purchase energy-efficient appliances.
  • Reduce your water heating expenses.
  • Install energy-efficient windows.
  • Upgrade your HVAC system.
  • Weatherize your home.

How to save costs on electricity? ›

Energy-Saving Tips for Managing Electricity Costs
  1. Ask the right questions. ...
  2. Turn off lights when leaving your home. ...
  3. Unplug devices: When not in use, unplug electronic devices and chargers. ...
  4. Use energy-efficient bulbs. ...
  5. Use fans instead of AC. ...
  6. Opt for cooking gas. ...
  7. Use solar panels.
Aug 2, 2023

What are phantom loads? ›

A phantom load is the electricity consumed by an appliance or electronic device when it is turned off. With most of these appliances, “off” does not really mean “off.” Electric current is still flowing to keep the device or appliance in standby “ready” mode.

Which appliances use the least electricity? ›

Hair dryers, ovens, and space heaters use very few kilowatt hours and even refrigerators are energy friendly. This is especially true of newer refrigerators, which consume only 30 kilowatt hours per month.

Does TV use a lot of electricity? ›

The average TV uses around 620,000 watt-hours annually. This average is a helpful jumping-off point to understand how TV wattage compares to other appliances. Let's compare! Based on these averages, TVs fall somewhere in the middle in terms of household appliance energy consumption.

Do ceiling fans use a lot of electricity? ›

How much Power does an Electric Ceiling Fan Consume? On average, the electricity consumption of a ceiling fan is about 75 Watts. However, this number may vary because of the following factors. The power demand of a ceiling fan at its greatest speed, excluding the light fixture, is measured in watts.

Do power tools use a lot of electric? ›

Power saws, electric welders, air compressors, and other power tools have the potential of using a large amount of electricity.

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