10 Easy Ways to Save Money On Your Utility Bills (2024)

If you’re looking for every day ways to save money, because who isn’t looking to save money, one area of life to examine is your utility bills. Things like electricity, heat, and water can add up quickly if you’re not mindful of how you’re using them. And it’s more than likely that you’re already doing one or more of the things listed.

And if not, you can make these changes easily.

We know that recent changes with the pandemic have made utilities and all sorts of bills shoot up. There are so many ways that you can reduce your costs in the home but what you pay to electric companies can come down if you know how to reduce your electricity usage at home. Saving money is a must if you want to lower your outgoings, and you’re in the right place for help.

Here are 10 ways to save money on utilities and be sure to check out more of my money management tips.

1. Any time you’re not using something, turn it off.

This includes lights, television, computer, radio, and just about anything else. Make it a point to turn the lights off when you leave a room.

Get out of the habit of leaving the TV on for background noise, and listen to the radio or your MP3 player instead, since they use far less electricity. And if you truly feel that leaving your computer on is in your best interest, put it in sleep mode when you’re not using it. At the very least, turn off the monitor and printer when not in use.

2. Unplug electronics such as your stereo, TV, DVD player and microwave when you go to bed at night.

These things almost always use electricity even when they’re not turned on. You can make it easier on yourself by plugging your entertainment devices into a power strip and simply turning the switch off.

3. Take showers instead of baths, and turn the water off when you’re not using it.

This includes when you’re washing your hair or shaving your legs. It’s really not that much hassle, and it can make a real difference in your water bill.

4. Only wash full loads of clothes, and wash them in cold water when possible.

Not only will you spend less time doing laundry, you’ll save money on both your water bill and your electric bill. Also, try washing your clothes at night.

5. If possible, hang your clothes out to dry.

Those who are short on outdoor space can use a compact foldable drying rack. You could even bring it indoors and place it near a heating vent to dry clothes in the winter.

6. Turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer.

It won’t be a shock to anybody’s system if the room temperature is a few degrees higher or lower. A programmable thermostat is a great investment if nobody is home during certain parts of the day, because you can set it to adjust itself to use less energy when the house is empty while still keeping it comfortable when it isn’t.

7. Dress warmly in the winter, even when you’re not going out.

And while you’re at it, put a nice, warm comforter on your bed. These measures will eliminate the need to turn the heat up.

8. Make sure your home is properly insulated and free of drafts.

You may have to purchase some insulation or weatherstripping, but these things will pay for themselves in no time through lower heating and cooling bills. It’s also a good idea to check your air ducts for leaks each year.

Change your air conditioner and furnace filters as recommended by the manufacturer. It’s surprising how many people neglect to do this, but changing them on schedule will result in much greater efficiency.

9. When it comes time to replace your appliances, make it a point to buy energy efficient ones.

You can find the best ones by comparing the Energy Star labels at the store. Using energy efficient appliances can save you hundreds of dollars on your electric bill each year.

10. Keep energy efficiency in mind when cooking.

If you’re baking or reheating a small amount of food, use the microwave or toaster oven instead of the range. Pressure cookers are also quite energy efficient, because they cook food much faster than you can in a regular pot.

Conserving energy is not nearly as difficult as you might think. A few simple measures and changes in habits can make a meaningful difference in your utility costs. Try these tips and see how much you can save per month!

What other ways can you think of to save money on your utilities?

*Part of Financially Savvy Saturdays on brokeGIRLrich and Femme Frugality*