8 Energy-Saving Tips To Cut Your Power Bill

Do you think you’re spending more than you should on energy bills? Or do you generally want to make some savings from your monthly power cost? Whatever the reason, there are straightforward ways to cut your energy bill without affecting your lifestyle quality. You don’t have to pay more when you can pay less. To cut your power bill, consider the following:

1. Install Energy Efficient Bulbs

Light bulbs significantly contribute to high power bills, especially if they’re old halogen or incandescent light bulbs. Consider installing energy-efficient bulbs to prevent your light bulbs from adding too much to your energy bill. Besides using less electricity, energy-saving bulbs also last longer.

LED lighting bulbs are considered the most energy-efficient lights but are a bit costly. However, the purchasing price for LED light bulbs can’t be compared with the sum they’ll save you on your energy bill. In fact, according to Energy Rating, LED light bulbs save an average household not less than USD$102 per year compared to the initial upfront price of about USD$5.

2. Keep The Oven Closed

Most homeowners don’t know that when they open their oven door when cooking, the temperature can drop 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Once this has happened, the oven will be in need of more electricity to heat up to the required temperature, adding up to the amount of power used. To save electricity and cut the power bill in the kitchen, avoid opening your oven door regularly. Instead, peek through the glass to determine if whatever your cooking is progressing as desired. You can also read this article to learn other ways to save electricity in the kitchen.

3. Wash Clothes With Cold Water

Of course, warm water makes the washing faster and removes tough stains. However, using warm water for the laundry is not a must, especially if you’re looking for ways to cut down your energy bill. It’s important to note that heating water significantly contributes to your high energy bill, and warming laundry water is a faster and easier way to sky-rocket your energy bill.

If you’re using a washing machine, use the eco settings and set the machine to the correct load size to avoid straining it, leading to more power usage. Additionally, consider sun-drying your clothes instead of machine-drying to avoid unnecessary power usage.

4. Close Doors And Windows

As dumb as it might sound, this is an excellent way to reduce your energy bill. When doors and windows are open, your air conditioner is likely to work hard, leading to more power use. To avoid straining your air conditioner, close the doors, windows, and curtains whenever it’s working. If you encounter problems, such as air conditioner fan not working or inadequate cooling, it is best to hire a qualified professional to fix the problem to avoid skyrocketing energy bills. You can also try to block draughts to trap the air. Once you’ve tried this tip, you’ll understand how cheap and effortless it can be to save on power bills.

5. Turn Off The Burner Early

Even after turning off the burner, it will still release enough heat to finish the cooking. This way, you can save the power that the burner could have used from when you start cooking until you finish. Nevertheless, as good as this tip might sound, it doesn’t work on all dishes since some require enough heat until they’re done. Therefore, it will be best if you first research food that doesn’t require too much heat to cook.

6. Insulate Your Home

Insulating your home is a better way of improving your home’s energy efficiency, leading to reduced heating and cooling costs. Insulation ensures your home maintains ideal temperatures in different seasons. You can view insulation as an esky to cool your home during summer and a thermal to retain heat during winter. According to the Victorian government, insulation can save Australians electricity bills by more than 45%.

Various insulation options are available for enhancing energy efficiency at home. These options, differing in materials and applications, include fiberglass, cellulose, spray foam, mineral wool, rigid foam, reflective or radiant barrier, aerogel, cotton, insulating concrete forms (ICFs), and blown-in insulation. Fiberglass is cost-effective, while cellulose is made from recycled paper, effectively reducing air leakage. On the other hand, spray foam expands to seal gaps, mineral wool offers thermal and sound insulation, and rigid foam panels provide high resistance to heat and moisture. 

Reflective barriers are suitable for hot climates, while aerogel offers exceptional thermal performance. Cotton insulation is environmentally friendly, and ICFs create insulated concrete walls. Moreover, blown-in insulation, available in various materials, is commonly used in attics. The choice of insulation should consider factors like climate, budget, and application area to achieve optimal energy savings and reduced bills.

7. Switch Off Appliances At The Wall

switch off appliances at the wall

Standby appliances can cost you more than USD$100 per year. It’s important to understand that appliances such as dishwashers, phone chargers, televisions, and microwaves use electricity even when not functioning. This means that you pay for the power that you haven’t used. If you can’t help forgetting to switch off these appliances at the wall, invest in an intelligent power board to prevent standby appliances from consuming energy.

8. Check Appliance Settings

Ensuring the appliances are adjusted accordingly can significantly impact your power bill. Check whether the fridge is too cold or if the television is too bright. Additionally, take advantage of eco settings on appliances like washing machines, air conditioners, dishwashers, and cloth dryers. Checking appliance settings doesn’t take much time but can save you a considerable amount in energy bills.

Hiring a qualified professional to confirm appliance settings, like an air conditioner, offers numerous benefits. These experts possess the necessary expertise to accurately assess and adjust settings, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency. Their knowledge prevents potential safety hazards and helps extend the appliance’s lifespan by reducing wear and tear. 

Moreover, correctly configured settings lead to energy savings and adherence to warranty requirements. Qualified technicians can also customize settings to suit your preferences while ensuring compliance with local codes. Overall, entrusting professionals with this task provides peace of mind, knowing your appliance operates smoothly, efficiently, and safely.

Conclusion

Saving on energy bills doesn’t have to be challenging. All you need is to determine factors you think are contributing to high energy bills. If your light bulbs might be the cause, switch to energy-saving ones. If it’s your washing machine, consider hand washing once in a while. Whatever your lifestyle, there are things you can do to reduce power usage.

About the author

smith brad omni
Brad Smith

Brad Smith is an experienced interior designer and the founder of OmniHomeIdeas.com. With a Master's degree in Interior Design from Pratt Institute and a passion for creating safe and healthy living spaces, Brad shares his expert insights and innovative design ideas with our readers. His work is driven by the belief that home is where every story begins.

Scroll to Top