Easy Ways To Lower Your Utility Bills
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Recurring bills are a useful place to review household spending. Start with one service and compare what you're paying with what you use.
When we lived in Texas, late-summer electricity bills were a concern for us.
We needed air conditioning through the hottest weather, so I looked for savings elsewhere too.
These are ideas we've explored. Choose changes that fit your household and available services.
Electric
For electricity, look at usage and the rate you're paying.
Begin by reviewing where electricity is being used.
Your bill or provider's tools may help you compare usage over time.
Consider large appliances and heating or cooling.
Choose one practical change to try.
If your area offers a choice of providers, compare the full plan costs.
Some areas have only one provider.
Where there is a choice, include fees and contract conditions in the comparison.
Turn off lights you don't need.
I sometimes air-dry laundry on a portable clothes rack.
I hang clothes on hangers and move the rack where there's room. It lets me dry a load without running a dryer.
I've also used tension rods for hanging clothes. Check the supported weight and installation before using one.
Use curtains or blinds to manage sunlight when it helps with the room temperature.
If you're comparing window coverings, look at the details for these curtains and these options.
These guides describe automatic shutdown options for a Mac and a PC. Check that the instructions suit your system.
Review the guidance for your fridge and freezer rather than changing settings or loading them simply to save energy.
For some meals, I use an InstantPot instead of heating the oven.
Review which electronics need to stay on and which can be switched off when unused.
When outdoor conditions suit, opening or closing windows may help manage the room temperature.
Our family used a smaller fridge.
It held the food we needed and used less electricity than our previous fridge. Compare appliance specifications for your own needs.
When our old fridge broke during a move, we compared ways to have it removed.
We eventually listed it for a local scrap collector.
It was collected soon afterward. Check what removal and recycling options are available where you live.
Use a fan when it meets your comfort needs, while keeping the room at a suitable temperature.
Make switching off unused lights part of the household routine.
When replacing a bulb, compare LED options that suit the fitting.
Look at brightness and rated energy use as well as price.
The LEDs we bought lasted well in our home.
Water
Run an appropriate dishwasher cycle for the load, or consider how much water you use when washing by hand.
When an appliance needs replacing, compare its energy and water ratings.
Look at how much water your daily routines use.
This Salux towel was part of my original shower routine; choose tools that suit your skin and comfort.
Follow local guidance and restrictions for watering outdoors.
Adjust irrigation to the season and actual weather rather than leaving the same schedule running all year.
Gas / Heating
Check doors and windows for drafts.
Sealant and window film are options to investigate where suitable for the surface and installation.
If it suits your routine, a shorter shower may reduce water use.
Choose heating settings that keep everyone in the household comfortable, and use clothing or blankets as helpful.
For suitable recipes, compare using an electric pressure cooker or stovetop pressure cooker with your usual method.
A lid can help keep heat in a pot while water heats.
Cell Phone
If you pay for a landline, consider whether you still use it. We've managed with cell phones for years.
Compare prepaid and monthly phone plans.
Our bill fell when we switched from T-Mobile to Straight Talk. Your comparison will depend on coverage, devices, usage, and the current plan terms.
On a limited data plan, review which apps use cellular data.
Adjust their settings if you're comfortable doing so, and check that essential services still work.
Review whether you need a separate international calling plan.
We used Wi-Fi calling through WhatsApp for some international conversations and no longer needed the same calling plan.
Internet
For internet, compare providers available at your address.
Include installation fees, equipment, and the price after any introductory offer.
You can also ask your current provider whether another plan is available.
I've successfully negotiated a lower bill twice. An offer isn't guaranteed, but asking gave me useful options to compare.
Decide what you need from the service and what monthly amount fits your budget.
Choose a speed that meets your actual use.
An upgrade didn't make a noticeable difference for our household, so I wanted to return to the lower-priced plan.
Consider whether a separate home connection is necessary for the way you use the internet.
If comparing a mobile hotspot, check the data allowance, coverage, and any extra charges before changing services.
TV
Review TV subscriptions too.
Keep the ones you use enough to justify their cost.
Compare the channels and programs included in any replacement service.
A pay-per-film option may suit occasional viewing better than another monthly subscription.
Check the service's current sharing rules if you're considering a shared plan.
We also use YouTube for tutorials and videos we enjoy.
The local library may have DVDs or Blu-ray discs to borrow.
I like keeping a small selection of borrowed family films at home.
Check their condition and due dates when borrowing.
Which change has made a useful difference to your bills? Photo by Marissa Rodriguez on Unsplash.
