Every month, utility bills take a sizable bite out of household budgets. While energy and water are essential, the rising costs can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like there’s little control over the final number.
According to the latest federal data, on average, electricity costs are 5.5% higher today than they were a year ago. The good news? With the right strategies, it’s possible to cut those bills dramatically without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
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Whether your goal is to stretch your paycheck further or to reduce your environmental footprint, the following tips provide a clear, actionable path to lowering your utility expenses.
Target Your Biggest Energy Consumers: Heating and Cooling
Every place (your specific home but also the geography of where you live) will be different, according to Adam Cain, vice president of ElectricityRates. However, try to keep the room temperature as low as comfortably possible when heating, or higher when cooling.
An extra layer or two of clothing can help you with that in colder months. Whenever your home is unoccupied, adjust your thermostat to maximize savings.
“Smart or programmable thermostats make this seamless by adjusting temperatures automatically based on your routine,” Cain said.
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Seal Leaks and Harness Natural Heat
Cain also advised checking for leaks in your doors and windows. If there are any, make sure you seal them with caulk or have a professional come out and do it.
If sunlight is streaming in, open your blinds to let solar gain do the heating work for you, especially on sunny, cooler days.
Upgrade Lighting and Use It Strategically
“LED light bulbs use only a quarter of the energy and last up to 25 times longer,” Cain said.
Whenever possible, rely on natural light instead of switching on the lamp. When lighting is needed, LEDs are the most efficient and cost-effective choice.
Eliminate Phantom Power Drain
Even when devices aren’t being used, some can still drain power if they’re plugged in and can hike up your electricity bill. Smart power strips will detect when devices are in standby mode and cut off the power supply.
Similarly, Cain explained that unplugging charged devices (like phones at 100%) can reduce wasted electricity and improve battery health.
Take Control With an Electricity Monitor
According to Cain, you should get something like the Sense, which is installed into your electrical panel to monitor all your electrical usage.
“These tools reveal where your energy is going, letting you eliminate any surprising energy drains,” he said.
Switch to Cheaper Providers When Possible
If you live in a deregulated state, you can enter your ZIP code and compare energy providers in just a few clicks, according to Cain. He also advised shopping around (using a site like ElectricityRates.com) to see if you can replace your provider with a lower-cost option.
“There are ways to filter your providers and find the cheapest, smartest option for you. Whatever it takes to find a solution to lowering your utility bills,” he said.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Slash Your Utility Bills in Half: 6 Proven Hacks To Save Big in 2025
