Opening the electricity bill each month can be rough. It can cause deep reflection, like do I need a 20-minute hot shower every day (yes) and should I be washing all my clothes at high temperatures (who knows)?

Not to worry though, there are things you can do to lower your bill. Some of them you have probably already heard of, and others might be completely new to you. Keep reading to find out how to actually save money on your electric bill.

Lighting

Switch Your Lightbulbs to LED Lighting

If you haven’t switched to LED lightbulbs yet, now is the time. They have proven to last 25 times longer than regular lightbulbs, and most importantly, they use 75 percent (yes, it’s true) less energy!

Just imagine the amount of money you will save per year by doing something as simple as switching to different light bulbs.

Install Dimmer Switches

Another option when it comes to lighting is to install dimmer switches. You will be able to decide how intense or how bright you want your light to be, enabling you to save on electricity by keeping the light on lower levels in your house.

Turn Off Your Lights

This might be a given for some, but many people either forget or do not think about turning off the lights in rooms they do not use or are not in at that time. It might seem silly going around the house and double-checking that lights are turned off, but you would be surprised to find how many are left on by mistake.

Use Natural Light

This tip might only be useful in the summertime, depending on where you live. Opening the blinds, curtains, and windows can make a real difference in how light a room will be. Natural lighting is free, and you should be using it.

Open the curtains and blinds in your study and you will not have to turn on the lights in the room until about 7 or 8 pm, saving hours and hours of energy during the day.

Not only that, but the sunlight will boost your serotonin and keep you calm and focused—two birds with one stone if you ask me. 

Kitchen Appliances

Turn Off Your Oven and Stove a Little Earlier

Whether you’ve got something cooking in the oven or a pan on the stove when it is between 5-10 minutes from being ready you can turn the appliance off.

The oven or stove will still produce enough heat to finish the dish, and you will save a lot of electricity.

A few minutes does not seem like it will make much difference, but if you make a habit out of it, every year, you will save up a lot.

Do Not Open Your Oven Door

Instead of opening your oven to check the food that you are preparing and leaving it open, look through the window. When the oven door is wide open, the oven will have to use even more electricity to maintain the chosen temperature.

Again, this might not seem like it makes much of a difference, but in the long run, it pays off and saves you money.

Use Smaller Appliances

Ultimately, the best option would be to opt for a smaller oven (toaster oven) or microwave. They use far less electricity than a regular, big oven.

Adjust Your Fridge Temperature

Your fridge should be cool, but it shouldn’t be icy. Your fridge and freezer soak up more energy than you might think. Setting your fridge to a temperature between 35°F and 37°, and your freezer at -0.4°F is more than enough. Your food will remain fresh, and most importantly your energy consumption will decrease.

Heating

Dress Smart

This does not mean to walk around the house in a suit, but rather to dress warmer and avoid turning up the heat. Layers are your best friends when it is cold outside, as well as sweatpants and fuzzy socks.

Close the Door

It might sound silly, but closing the doors in your rooms in the house so that the heat does not escape, and so that draft does not get through (if there is any, that is) can be a real game-changer.

Especially if you are using electric heaters in specific rooms. By leaving the door open the heat will escape, and you will have to use your heater for far more time—Bob Vila has more to say about this.

Fix Any Air Leaks

If it is cold in certain places in your house it does not always mean that you should put your heating up, it could also be a draft coming from windows or doors.

It might be worth checking spots for the draft and sealing them in tight, and at the same time saving yourself money by not having to turn up the heat.

Conclusion

To conclude, there are more than enough ways to lower your energy-wasting and eventually save money on your electricity bill. Some of these tips and tricks might seem a bit odd or pointless, however, it is important to think of the bigger picture in these cases.

Small changes can make a big difference, and this is certainly true for most of the tips and tricks presented to you in this list. Making these changes a habit in your life—whether it is cutting down your shower time, turning off the lights, or switching to a smaller oven— will amount to a big change over time.

Image by Sunshine Studio via Shutterstock.com