Enertech Blog

Does paying bills seem like a video game? Just when you think you’ve conquered the beast, you’ve leveled up to a greater challenge and more ferocious adversary. 

Here are 20 strategies you can use to lower your utility bills, plus the approximate percentage range of potential savings for each.* 

1. Install energy-efficient appliances – Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers can save 10-50%.1 (U.S. DOE & EPA) 
2. Use LED light bulbs – Switching to LED light bulbs can save 25-80% on lighting costs.2 (Center for Environmental Health) 
3. Programmable thermostat – Install a programmable thermostat and save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs If it is programmed correctly.3 (Mississippi State Extension Service) 
4. Seal air leaks – Caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows can save 10-20% on heating and cooling bills.4 (U.S. Department of Energy) 
5. Upgrade insulation – Adding insulation in attics and walls can help you save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.5 (U.S. Department of Energy) 
6. Regular air conditioner maintenance – Routine replacement of air conditioner filters can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5-15%.6 (ENERGY STAR) 
7. Use ceiling fans – Using ceiling fans to circulate air can save 15-30% on cooling costs.7 (Louisiana Department of Natural Resources) 
8. Install solar panels- Average homeowners could save about $50,000 on electricity over the lifetime of their solar panel systems.8 
9. Reduce water heater temperature – Lowering the temperature on your water heater thermostat to 120°F can save $36-$61 annually on heat lost from water heater to surrounding area.9 (U.S. Department of Energy) 
10. Install water-efficient fixtures – Installing low-flow showerheads and faucets can save 25-60% on water usage.10 (U.S. Department of Energy) 
11. Insulate hot water pipes – Insulating hot water pipes can save 3-4% annually on water heating costs.11 (U.S. Department of Energy) 
12. Utilize natural ventilation – Opening windows strategically for natural ventilation can save 10-30% in energy consumption.12 (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) 
13. Shade windows – Installing shades, blinds, or awnings can reduce heat loss through windows by 40%.13 (U.S. Department of Energy) 
14. Switch to energy-efficient windows – Installing energy-efficient windows saves homeowners 12% on average in heating and cooling costs.14 (Energysavings.com) 
15. Use smart power strips – Using smart power strips can save up to 10% on electricity bills by reducing standby power usage.15 (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) 
16. Air dry clothes – Using a clothesline and/or drying racks can save over $200 a year based on five loads per week. 16 
17. Wash dishes efficiently – An ENERGY-STAR-qualified dishwasher can reduce your energy bill by more than $30 a year.17 (U.S. Department of Energy) 
18. Cook efficiently – Using a microwave rather than an oven to heat small portions of food can save up to 80% in cooking energy.18 (ENERGY STAR) 
19. Use energy-efficient landscaping – Planting trees and shrubs strategically for shade and windbreaks can save 25% of the energy a typical household uses to heat and cool.19 (U.S. Department of Energy) 
20. Opt for an energy-efficient pool cover – Using a pool cover reduces evaporation and can save 50-70% in pool heating costs.20 (U.S. Department of Energy)  

USE THE HEAT BENEATH YOUR FEET: SAVE UP TO 70% ON HEATING AND COOLING 

Geothermal heat pumps, also known as ground-source heat pumps, exchange energy with energy stored in the Earth to keep homes comfortable year-round. 

Homeowners enjoy significant savings compared to conventional HVAC systems. Be inspired by these geothermal HVAC users* . . . 

• Who save 60% on cooling bills. 
• Whose average monthly heating/cooling and hot water bill totals $125. 
• Whose switch from conventional to geothermal HVAC resulted in average annual savings of nearly $4,000. 

* Savings cited are approximate and can vary based on factors such as location, household habits, and specific equipment or conditions. 

References 

1. What is Energy Star? United States Environmental Protection Agency, & United States Department of Energy, energystar.gov 
2. Why You Should Make the Switch to LED Light Bulbs, Center for Environmental Health,  ceh.org 
3. Energy Efficient Homes: Programmable Thermostats, Mississippi State University Extension, extension.msstate.edu 
4. Do-It-Yourself Savings Project: Using Caulk to Seal Air Leaks, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov 
5. Guide to Home Insulation, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov 
6. Energy Saver 101: Everything You Need to Know About Home Cooling, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov 
7. Fans Reduce Cooling Costs, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, dnr.louisiana.gov 
8. How much money do solar panels save in 2024? Energy Sage, energysage.com 
9. Do-It-Yourself Savings Project: Lower Water Heating Temperature, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov 
10. Reduce Hot Water Use for Energy Savings, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov 
11. Do-It-Yourself Savings Project: Insulate Hot Water Pipes, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov 
12. Using response surface regression method to evaluate the influence of window types on ventilation performance of Hong Kong residential buildings, Science Direct, sciencedirect.com 
13. Energy Efficient Window Coverings, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov 
14. How Replacing Your Windows Saves You Money, U.S. Window and Door, uswindow-door.com 
15. Shocking electric bill? Free changes can help you cut costs, save money, USA Today, usatoday.com 
16. Reasons to Line dry your clothes to save money on laundry, Six Dollar Family, sixddollarfamily.com 
17. ENERGY-STAR Qualified Dishwashers, ENERGY-STAR, energystar.gov 
18. Does using a microwave over a regular oven save energy? ENERGY-STAR, energystar.gov. 
19. Energy Efficient Landscaping, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov 
20. Swimming Pool Covers, U.S. Department of Energy, energy.gov