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 

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