I gotta start this off by saying I grew up with the most frugal dad alive. Like, lowering the electric bill was his actual personality trait. He had the lights off before you even left the room, unplugged everything, and don’t even think about touching the thermostat. Some of that rubbed off on me (okay, a lot), so now I’ve got a bunch of tricks to cut energy costs without turning your house into a cave. I even threw in some “Go Extreme” stuff—kinda silly, kinda brilliant—that hardcore savers actually do every day. Anyway, let’s get into it.

1. Readjust Your Thermostat & Mindset

Your HVAC unit is by-far the biggest energy suck in your home, hands-down.

The absolute best way to save money on your electric bill is to adjust your thermostat in the summer and winter.

If you’re serious about lowering your bill, try setting it at 64 degrees in the Winter and 78 degrees in the Summer.

In the Summer, you’ll save 3% on your bill for every degree over 72.

In the Winter, set it down to 60 degrees at night and then turn it back up in the morning. And before you leave a comment, “catching up” isn’t actually an issue.

The time and energy your furnace uses to raise the temperature is far less than if it had been running all night, so you’re always saving energy and money.

The only exception is if heat loss to the outside is greater than what your system can provide, in which case, unfortunately, you’re losing efficiency regardless.

PRO TIP: MAKE SURE YOUR POWER ISN’T BEING STOLEN

Ensure no one is using your power without permission. Locate your electric meter, turn off all your breakers, and check that the meter stops running.

If it doesn’t, investigate the cause. This happens more often than you might think and is worth checking out.

2. The Fan Rotation Trick

Most people know that ceiling fans help cool in the summer, but did you know that they can keep you warm in the winter, too?

During winter months, set your fan to rotate clockwise at a low speed.

This pushes warm air that rises to the ceiling down into the room, maintaining warmth and reducing the need for extra heating.

3. Smart Power Strips to Combat Phantom Power

Phantom power is that sneaky energy your stuff uses even when it’s “off.” TVs, game consoles, coffee makers—yep, still pulling power.

It adds up more than you’d think.

The fix? Smart power strips. They cut the power when your devices aren’t being used, so you’re not wasting electricity for no reason.

Just plug your stuff into one and forget about it. Easy win.

See Also: Lower Your Bills By Negotiating – Here’s How

PRO TIP: EMBRACE ROOM-SPECIFIC COMFORT

Don’t waste energy heating or cooling the whole house if you’re only hanging out in one room.

Set up zones instead—use a space heater in the room you’re actually in, or a fan if it’s hot out.

Even a basic space heater can keep you warm without cranking the whole system. Smart thermostats help with this too (more on that later), but honestly, just focusing on the rooms you actually use makes a big difference.

4. Insulate Everything—Not Just the Walls

We know that good wall insulation is essential, especially in very cold climates.

But did you know that smaller insulation steps can make a huge difference, too?

Insulate around electrical outlets, cover exposed pipes, and even use draft blockers for doors and windows.

These little moves keep conditioned air in and cold or hot air out, reducing your HVAC system’s workload.

PRO TIP: ATTIC IS THE MOST IMPORTANT

Check the depth of the insulation in your attic. If it’s 3″ or less consider adding more, up to 12″ if you can afford it.

You lose A LOT of heat through your ceiling if you don’t have sufficient attic insulation. Way more than through your walls.

5. Maximize Sunlight

Sunlight’s free, so you might as well use it. In the winter, open up the blinds on your south-facing windows and let that warmth in. It actually helps heat the room a bit.

In the summer? Do the opposite—keep the curtains closed and maybe even plant a tree out front to block some of that heat.

Throw in some blackout curtains or layered shades, and you’ll be surprised how much more comfortable your place feels without touching the thermostat.

See Also: Clever Ways to Use Social Media to Save Money

6. Run Appliances at Night

Some power companies charge less for energy used late at night or super early in the morning—aka off-peak hours.

So if you can, run the dishwasher, washer, or dryer during those times.

You’ll save a few bucks, and it helps take pressure off the grid when everyone else is blasting the AC or running appliances.

Set a timer, hit delay start, whatever—just don’t run all the big stuff during dinner time if you don’t have to.

7. Adjust Your Water Heater Temperature

Most water heaters are set way hotter than they need to be—usually around 140°F.

Drop it to 120°F and you’ll save money without even noticing a difference in your showers or laundry.

And if you’re heading out of town, crank it down to the lowest setting or hit “vacation mode” if it has one. No point heating water you’re not using.

GO EXTREME: “LIVE BY CANDLELIGHT” EVENINGS

Commit to one or two nights a week where you don’t use any electric lights in your home, opting for candlelight instead.

Candles (or even oil lamps) can create a cozy, old-world vibe while helping you get into the habit of conserving electricity. Bonus: it’s a great excuse for a quiet night reading or spending time with family.

8. Use Your Oven Wisely

Ovens consume a lot of energy, especially when preheating.

If possible, use smaller appliances like toaster ovens, air fryers, or slow cookers, which use significantly less electricity.

And when you do use your oven, try to cook multiple dishes at once to make the most of the heat. This way, your oven works double-duty with the same energy output.

Also, in the winter, always leave the oven door open when you’re done cooking and get that warm air in the kitchen. It drives me crazy when my kids leave the oven door closed and then complain about why it’s so cold in the house.

9. Dryer Balls and Line-Drying Clothes

Dryers eat up a ton of energy, but tossing in some wool or rubber dryer balls helps stuff dry faster. They just bounce around and let more air get in between your clothes.

If it’s warm out, hang your stuff outside instead.

Even drying heavy stuff like towels halfway on a line before finishing in the dryer can save a decent chunk of energy (and money).

10. Turn Down the Brightness on Your Screens

Many people don’t realize that high brightness settings on screens (TVs, computers, tablets) can increase energy consumption.

Lower the brightness on all your devices to save power and reduce eye strain.

For an even bigger impact, put screens on a “sleep” timer so they shut off automatically after a set period of inactivity.

GO EXTREME: GO OFF THE GRID PART-TIME

Disconnect from the grid during certain hours of the day, especially during peak usage times.

To make this work, invest in a battery-powered system, solar charger, or a small generator that allows you to run essentials independently. By reducing peak-time electricity consumption, you might qualify for lower rates and avoid energy surcharges.

11. Smart Thermostat for Automated Savings

Investing in a smart thermostat can pay off quickly.

Many models allow you to set specific temperature schedules and will even adjust automatically based on your habits and local weather patterns.

Some can be controlled remotely from your phone, letting you adjust the temperature even when you’re not home.

12. Invest in LED Lighting—The Right Way

LEDs use way less energy than old-school bulbs—like up to 80% less—but where and how you use them matters too.

Instead of lighting up the whole room, just use a desk lamp or reading light if that’s all you need.

Go for dimmable LEDs so you’re not blasting full brightness all the time, and pick “daylight” or “warm white” depending on the vibe you want. Less glare = less need for extra lights.

13. Go for Cold Washes and Shorter Showers

Washing your clothes in cold water reduces the energy needed to heat the water and is usually gentler on fabrics.

After your heater, your homes electric hot water heater uses the most electricity. So when it comes to hot showers, aim for shorter showers and use a low-flow showerhead, which reduces both water and water-heating expenses.

Better yet, start taking Navy Showers and your hot water usage will go WAY DOWN.

A Navy shower is when you let the water warm up, then immediately hop under and get fully wet. Then turn the water off and lather yourself up with soap and shampoo. Last, turn the water back on and rinse off.

Aim for having the water actually running for about 90 seconds and your hot water usage will GO WAY DOWN.

GO EXTREME: HEAT-FREE COOKING

Avoid using any electric or gas-based heat for cooking. Instead, focus on raw foods like salads, smoothies, and cold soups.

When you want something cooked, try methods like using a sun oven, propane BBQ, or fire pit for outdoor cooking.

This extreme approach can reduce energy consumption, especially in the summer when cooking often increases indoor cooling needs.

14. Unplug Chargers When Not in Use

Phone and laptop chargers left plugged in consume energy even when they’re not actively charging.

Unplug chargers when not in use, or keep them connected to a smart power strip that will cut off power automatically when they’re not drawing energy.

15. Strategically Place Mirrors

Mirrors can actually help you save energy if you put them in the right spot.

Stick one on a wall next to a window and it’ll bounce sunlight around the room, making things feel brighter without flipping on a light.

Bonus—it looks nice too, so it’s a win for your energy bill and your decor.

PRO TIP: INVEST IN A WHOLE HOUSE FAN

The best thing I ever did to lower my summer cooling bill was to install a whole house fan in the ceiling of our hallway.

They work by pulling the cool outside air into your home in the mornings and evenings when it’s cooled off. You open a few windows, turn it on, and enjoy the cool air as it lowers the temperature of your home.

Note: I live in a area with a dry heat. If you live where it’s humid, the whole house fan is not as effective.

16. Don’t Overfill the Refrigerator

If your fridge is packed to the max, it has to work overtime to keep everything cold—and that means a higher energy bill.

Try not to overstuff it. Keep things organized so air can actually move around in there.

Also, clean the coils on the back or bottom once in a while. Dust buildup makes your fridge run harder than it needs to.

GO EXTREME: SWITCH TO HAND-POWERED APPLIANCES

Try swapping out electric-powered appliances for manual, human-powered alternatives.

For example, you could use a hand-cranked coffee grinder, hand whisk instead of an electric mixer, or even a manual lawn mower instead of an electric or gas one. These choices can cut back on energy consumption while giving you a mini-workout in the process.

17. Use Your Dishwasher Efficiently

Avoid pre-rinsing dishes, which not only wastes water but also undermines the dishwasher’s energy-saving features.

Only run the dishwasher when it’s full, and if your model has an “eco” setting, use it.

Air-dry dishes instead of using the heated drying option for even more savings.

PRO TIP: THE DISHWASHER DILEMMA

If your dishwasher is older than 8 years, you might be better off handwashing dishes.

Handwashing uses more hot water, but older dishwashers likely heat the water even further, which might make them less efficient overall.

18. Adjust Furniture Placement

Where your furniture sits actually affects how well your house heats or cools.

If you’ve got a couch or bookshelf blocking a vent, your HVAC has to work way harder than it should. Not great for your bill.

And in the winter, keep stuff away from windows and doors—nobody wants to sit in a draft.

19. Install Low-E Film on Windows

Low-emissivity (Low-E) window film helps block UV rays in the summer and retains warmth in the winter.

It’s an affordable, easy-to-install solution for windows that see a lot of direct sunlight, helping keep indoor temperatures stable without heavy use of your heating or cooling system.

GO EXTREME: UNPLUG THE HOT WATER HEATER

Only heat water when you actually need it.

If you’re feeling extra thrifty, you can unplug your water heater and just heat small amounts on the stove for stuff like washing dishes. Or go full-off-grid and use a solar water heater outside.

It sounds a little extreme, but in the warmer months when hot water’s not as crucial, this can save you a ton on your energy bill.

20. Mind the Gap with Doors and Windows

Tiny gaps around doors and windows might not seem like a big deal, but they let in drafts that mess with your heating and cooling.

Slap some weatherstripping on those spots and throw a door sweep on the bottom if air’s sneaking in.

It’s cheap, takes like 10 minutes, and actually makes a difference in how hard your system has to work.

21. Set Your Freezer Correctly

The recommended freezer temperature is around 0°F. Setting it lower doesn’t make food any safer but does increase energy use.

Keep your freezer at the correct temperature, and avoid overstocking to maintain efficiency.

22. Embrace Layering Indoors

In winter, just throw on more layers instead of blasting the heat. A sweater, socks, and a good blanket go a long way.

Keep some fleece throws and warm slippers around for the family—makes lowering the thermostat a little easier to deal with.

And yeah, definitely drop the temp at night. That’s when your heater works the hardest, and if you’re serious about cutting your electric bill, this is non-negotiable. Just pile on the blankets and deal with it.

GO EXTREME: DOWNSIZE YOUR LIVING SPACE

If you’re trying to really cut back, just live in one or two rooms. Heat or cool only those and forget the rest of the house.

Some people go all in and make one cozy little room for everything—eating, working, hanging out, whatever.

Yeah, it’s a little extreme, but it saves a ton on energy. And honestly, it kinda works.

23. Try Out Thermal Curtains

Thermal curtains are basically insulation for your windows. They trap air between the curtain and the glass, so cold stays out in the winter and heat stays out in the summer.

They actually make a big difference—you won’t need to run the heater or AC as much.

Plus, they don’t have to look ugly. You can get them in normal colors and patterns that won’t wreck your room vibe.

24. Optimize Your HVAC Filters

Dirty HVAC filters make your air gross and force your system to work way harder than it needs to. That means higher bills and less comfort.

Just change the filter. Seriously.

Do it regularly, and if you can, go for a high-efficiency one so the airflow’s better. It’s one of those tiny things that makes a big difference.

GO EXTREME: COLD WATER SHOWER ROUTINE

Skip the hot water altogether and make cold showers a daily ritual.

Not only will this cut down on your water heater’s energy use, but it might also wake you up faster and is often touted as having health benefits, like boosting circulation and improving mood.

On a side-note, my Dad used to take cold showers…but he’s also the most frugal human being I’ve ever met.

25. Decorate for Efficiency

Decor can be functional as well as stylish.

Hang tapestries or rugs on walls and place thick area rugs on floors to add insulation to rooms, reducing the need for extra heating.

It’s a great way to bring warmth into your home without relying solely on the thermostat.

Ask the Reader: How do you lower the electric bill at your house? Let me know your clever tips and I’ll add them to my article.

By Kyle James

Kyle James( Owner/Founder )

I started Rather-Be-Shopping.com in 2000 and have become a consumer expert and advocate writing about out-of-the-box ways to save at stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target and Costco to name a few. I’ve been featured on FOX News, Good Morning America, and the NY Times talking about my savings tips. (Learn more)