{"id":23405,"date":"2025-12-15T16:06:46","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T16:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/save-on-electric-bill\/"},"modified":"2025-12-16T21:30:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T21:30:24","slug":"save-on-electric-bill","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/save-on-electric-bill\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Save on Your Electric Bill: 9 Simple Steps to Energy Excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.chariot-article {\n  max-width: 800px;\n  margin: 0 auto;\n  padding: 40px;\n  font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, \"Segoe UI\", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, sans-serif;\n  font-size: 18px;\n  line-height: 1.8;\n  color: #333;\n}\n.chariot-article h1 {\n  font-size: 2.5em;\n  font-weight: 700;\n  line-height: 1.2;\n  margin: 0 0 30px 0;\n  color: #1a1a1a;\n}\n.chariot-article h2 {\n  font-size: 1.8em;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  line-height: 1.3;\n  margin: 50px 0 20px 0;\n  color: #1a1a1a;\n  border-bottom: 2px solid #f7931e;\n  padding-bottom: 10px;\n}\n.chariot-article h3 {\n  font-size: 1.4em;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  line-height: 1.4;\n  margin: 40px 0 15px 0;\n  color: #333;\n}\n.chariot-article h4 {\n  font-size: 1.2em;\n  font-weight: 600;\n  margin: 30px 0 10px 0;\n  color: #444;\n}\n.chariot-article p {\n  margin: 0 0 20px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article img {\n  max-width: 100%;\n  height: auto;\n  border-radius: 8px;\n  margin: 30px 0;\n  display: block;\n}\n.chariot-article figure {\n  margin: 30px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article figcaption {\n  font-size: 0.9em;\n  color: #666;\n  text-align: center;\n  margin-top: 10px;\n  font-style: italic;\n}\n.chariot-article ul, .chariot-article ol {\n  margin: 20px 0 20px 30px;\n  padding: 0;\n}\n.chariot-article li {\n  margin-bottom: 12px;\n  line-height: 1.6;\n}\n.chariot-article a {\n  color: #f7931e;\n  text-decoration: none;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;\n  transition: border-color 0.2s;\n}\n.chariot-article a:hover {\n  border-bottom-color: #f7931e;\n}\n.chariot-article blockquote {\n  border-left: 4px solid #f7931e;\n  margin: 30px 0;\n  padding: 20px 30px;\n  background: #f9f9f9;\n  font-style: italic;\n  color: #555;\n}\n.chariot-article strong {\n  font-weight: 600;\n  color: #1a1a1a;\n}\n.chariot-article em {\n  font-style: italic;\n}\n.chariot-article hr {\n  border: none;\n  border-top: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\n  margin: 40px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article table {\n  width: 100%;\n  border-collapse: collapse;\n  margin: 30px 0;\n}\n.chariot-article th, .chariot-article td {\n  padding: 12px 15px;\n  text-align: left;\n  border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;\n}\n.chariot-article th {\n  background: #f5f5f5;\n  font-weight: 600;\n}\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\n  .chariot-article {\n    padding: 20px;\n    font-size: 16px;\n  }\n  .chariot-article h1 { font-size: 2em; }\n  .chariot-article h2 { font-size: 1.5em; }\n  .chariot-article h3 { font-size: 1.25em; }\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"chariot-article\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" alt=\"Man caulks his windows to air seal and insulate his home\" class=\"wp-image-1502\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/caulking-windows.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p>If it seems that your electricity bill<br \/>\ncontinues to surprise you every month \u2013 and not in a good way \u2013 you aren\u2019t<br \/>\nalone. According to 2017 research from the U.S. Energy Information<br \/>\nAdministration (EIA), Texans spend an average of $122.47 per month on their<br \/>\nelectricity bill.<sup>1<\/sup> This translates to nearly a whopping $1,500 per year<br \/>\nyou\u2019d rather spend on something else. <\/p>\n<p>It doesn\u2019t help that understanding how<br \/>\nyou use energy on a day-to-day basis can be frustrating. Per a recent EIA<br \/>\nstudy, here\u2019s an estimated breakdown of where the charges on your electricity<br \/>\nbill are going to each month:<sup>2<\/sup><sup><\/sup><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>47.7%<\/strong> of your energy bill is from your HVAC (i.e. heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)<\/li>\n<li><strong>34.6% <\/strong>of your energy bill is from appliances, electronics, and lighting<\/li>\n<li><strong>17.7%<\/strong> of your energy bill is from your hot water heater<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All of that looks fairly standard! You<br \/>\nneed to heat and cool your home. Appliances and consumer electronics are<br \/>\nhelpful. Having lighting and hot water are essential to modern life. Unless<br \/>\nyou\u2019re going to become a recluse, how exactly can this information help you<br \/>\nlower your electricity bill? <\/p>\n<p>At Chariot Energy, we believe that a<br \/>\nlittle education can go a long way. When you learn how your home uses<br \/>\nelectricity, it\u2019s easier to figure out ways you can curb your usage. <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Let\u2019s Break Down Your Electric Bill First<\/h2>\n<p>Let\u2019s review the three primary <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/what-uses-most-electricity-your-home\/\">ways your home uses electricity<\/a> and discuss the ways you can lower your home energy bills. <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Space conditioning (your HVAC system)<\/h3>\n<p>87% of the electricity used for space<br \/>\nconditioning is dedicated to heating your home \u2013 especially in places with cold<br \/>\nwinters. Turning up the thermostat even one additional degree can have a<br \/>\nvisible impact on your energy bill. <\/p>\n<p>Obviously, the other 13% comes from<br \/>\nrunning your air conditioner. Specifically, it\u2019s the constant on-and-off<br \/>\nactivity created by a low thermostat setting that causes your air conditioner<br \/>\nto run too long and use lots of energy. This percentage is much higher in warm<br \/>\nstates, such as Texas. <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Appliances, electronics and light bulbs<\/h3>\n<p>Your appliances, electronics and lighting<br \/>\ncreate the next biggest energy drain in your home, and it\u2019s the most observable<br \/>\nsource of energy consumption. In fact, our increased reliance on digital<br \/>\ndevices has led to dramatic growth in energy usage, and it\u2019s only going to rise<br \/>\nas people use more smart and connected home devices. <\/p>\n<p>As you\u2019d imagine, the larger an<br \/>\nappliance, the more energy it uses. It\u2019s the reason the big appliances in your<br \/>\nhome \u2013 such as your dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and refrigerator \u2013 are<br \/>\nreferred to as \u201cenergy hogs.\u201d Even more, they put off lots of ambient heat,<br \/>\nwhich makes your home warmer, so if it\u2019s summer, your air conditioner will work<br \/>\nextra to cool your home. And that creates a feedback loop of energy usage that<br \/>\nleads to big bill spikes.<\/p>\n<p>Then there are your consumer electronics:<br \/>\nYour chargers, entertainment centers, video game systems, and more. By<br \/>\nthemselves, the energy usage is relatively minimal, especially compared to your<br \/>\nlarge appliances. But when you start counting up <em>all<\/em> of the devices you have plugged in around your home, that<br \/>\nconsumption will add up quickly.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, turning off the television at night isn\u2019t going to solve anything. Even when a device is seemingly turned off, it\u2019s still using power if it\u2019s plugged into a wall. This concept \u2013 dubbed <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/vampire-electricity\/\">vampire power<\/a> for its energy-sucking capabilities \u2013 include TVs, computer monitors and phone chargers, and it\u00a0can leech up to $200 from your wallet every year.<sup>3<\/sup> <\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s hundreds of dollars lost simply because you keep chargers and\u00a0electronics plugged into the wall when you aren\u2019t using them. You can easily slay these energy suckers by using a power strip you can turn off with a flip of a switch. No wooden stakes required. <\/p>\n<p>As for lighting, the golden rule of turning<br \/>\noff lights in rooms you aren\u2019t occupying still stands strong. This is<br \/>\nespecially true if that room is lit by a ceiling light, as those tend to use<br \/>\nmore energy than lamps. <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your hot water heater<\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s tempting to disregard water heating.<br \/>\nAfter all, it uses relatively less energy than the other two sources, and a<br \/>\nsteaming shower at the end of the day (or in the morning) can feel so rewarding<br \/>\nthat the energy usage might be worth it. <\/p>\n<p>Still, chances are your water heater still uses its factory settings \u2013 a scalding 140 degrees \u2013 and that\u2019s what comprises nearly 20% of your entire electricity bill. To alleviate this, the EPA suggests turning down your heater to 120 degrees, which surprisingly doesn\u2019t affect the warmth of\u00a0your shower, but it does noticeably impact that monthly bill.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9 Easy Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill<\/h2>\n<p>Now that you know where and how you<br \/>\nconsume electricity around your home, we\u2019ve collected nine tips that can guide<br \/>\nyou to a smaller monthly energy bill. Five are super-simple fixes, three of<br \/>\nthem are slightly more involved, and one effortless solution could slash it<br \/>\nall. <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Install a programmable thermostat<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img alt=\"Someone turns down the temperature on the thermostat\" class=\"wp-image-1497\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/programmable-thermostat-1.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p>To lower your heating and cooling costs, which consume the most energy in your home, we recommend using a programmable thermostat to regulate your home\u2019s temperature more effectively. Then, we encourage more energy-efficient settings, including adjusting the temperature to<a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/blog\/what-temperature-should-i-set-my-air-conditioner-in-summer\/\"> 75 \u00b0F during the summer<\/a> and 68 \u00b0F in the winter.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Figure out which direction your ceiling fan spins<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1498\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ceiling-fan.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clockwise or counterclockwise? That is the question.<\/figcaption><\/img><\/figure>\n<p>A ceiling fan is an efficient way to keep<br \/>\nthe air moving in your house, which is essential to heating and cooling your<br \/>\nhome. But have you ever noticed which direction your ceiling fan spins?<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>During<br \/>the summer, ceiling fans should spin <strong>clockwise<\/strong><br \/>to push cool air down into the room and across people\u2019s skin.<\/li>\n<li>During<br \/>the winter, ceiling fans should <strong>reverse<br \/>direction<\/strong> to pull warm air up to the ceiling so it can then flow into the<br \/>corners of the room. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Most ceiling fans come with a switch (or<br \/>\ncord) that determines its direction. Thus, saving energy can be as easy as<br \/>\nliterally flipping a switch!<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Avoid using your oven whenever possible<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Woman using a microwave oven\" class=\"wp-image-1499\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1280\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/microwave-oven.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Whether it\u2019s your microwave, an air fryer or a George Foreman grill, these smaller appliances use much less electricity.<\/figcaption><\/img><\/figure>\n<p>Most recipes involve preheating the oven<br \/>\nbefore cooking. But since the oven is a massive energy hog, consider whether<br \/>\nyou really need to pre-heat it \u2014 or if you even need it at all. In general,<br \/>\nrecipes with a long cooking time can slowly cook as the oven warms up. Also,<br \/>\nmicrowaves use much less electricity than ovens, so consider them your express<br \/>\npass to save time and energy. <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Buy power strips to turn off vampire appliances<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Power strip with a bunch of cords plugged into it\" class=\"wp-image-1500\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1275\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/power-strip.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">We all have something that looks like this in our home.<\/figcaption><\/img><\/figure>\n<p>It\u2019s the 21st century, so you probably<br \/>\nhave a phone and laptop that require regular charging. You might also have a<br \/>\ndesktop computer,\u00a0 e-reader,\u00a0 TV, multiple video game consoles, and a host<br \/>\nof other gadgets. Now, multiply that number by the number of people living in<br \/>\nyour home. Suffice to say, the number of devices perpetually plugged into the<br \/>\nwalls of your home is probably larger than you realize.<\/p>\n<p>As discussed earlier, these devices are<br \/>\nessentially vampires that will drain your power when they\u2019re plugged into the<br \/>\nwall, even when they\u2019re \u201coff.\u201d The easiest fix is to use a power strip that<br \/>\ncollect as many plugs as possible into a single location. That way, when you\u2019re<br \/>\nnot using the devices, you can simply switch off the power strip. Additionally,<br \/>\nyou could unplug each charger when a given device is adequately charged. <\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Wash clothes in cold water and air dry (if possible)<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Clothesline and clothespins\" class=\"wp-image-1436\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1284\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Clothesline-pixlr.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Air drying can take a while, but it\u2019s free!<\/figcaption><\/img><\/figure>\n<p>Your washer and dryer are two of the most energy-intensive devices you own. When washing your clothes, heating the water alone accounts for 90% of its electricity use. Hence, washing your clothes with cold water can not only reduce electricity consumption, but also prolong the lifespan of your clothing.<\/p>\n<p>As for drying, you have a couple of<br \/>\ndifferent methods available:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Air drying is the best for optimal energy savings, but for many people, it\u2019s not a feasible alternative, as it requires a significant amount of obstacle-free outdoor space.<\/li>\n<li>Leave the dryer 25% empty and toss in a couple of dryer balls to help your clothes dry faster and maximize the efficiency of your dryer. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Replace your air filters every month<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Man changes air filter\" class=\"wp-image-1501\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1272\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/air-filter.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clean air conditioner = cheaper energy bill<\/figcaption><\/img><\/figure>\n<p>Air filters are essential for cleaning the air in your home, especially during allergy season. Dirty filters place undue stress on your home\u2019s heating and ventilation systems, so you should ideally replace them every month (or, at a bare minimum, every three months). <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/chariot-university\/how-often-change-air-filter\/\">Keeping your air filters clean<\/a> can save 15% on your electricity bill.<sup>4<\/sup><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Fix drafts by replacing the weatherstripping<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" alt=\"Man caulks his windows to air seal and insulate his home\" class=\"wp-image-1502\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/caulking-windows.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Caulk is a type of sealant that helps insulate your home.<\/figcaption><\/img><\/figure>\n<p>Have you ever felt cool or hot air coming in through your doors and windows? It\u2019s likely your weatherstripping is cracked, broken, and busted. While you can use temporary fixes such as shoving newspaper or old clothing along the edges, the best permanent fix is to reinstall fresh weather strips. It\u2019s cheap, fairly easy to install by yourself and can save up to 30% in energy costs from space conditioning.<sup>5<\/sup><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Clean your refrigerator coils<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Refrigerator condenser coils\" class=\"wp-image-1503\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1280\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/refrigerator-condenser-coils.jpg\" width=\"1920\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">These are condenser coils. They\u2019re either located under your fridge or behind it. <\/figcaption><\/img><\/figure>\n<p>If your fridge constantly kicks on and off or has trouble staying cool, you may need its condenser coils cleaned. Some refrigerators need to be cleaned by a technician, but some can be cleaned by the homeowner. Cleaning the coils yourself \u2013 unplugging the fridge, removing the base grille at the bottom and using a vacuum and soft brush to remove the grime \u2013 can cut down on the electricity consumption of your fridge.<sup>6<\/sup><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Change your electricity company<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019ve worked tirelessly to reduce your electricity consumption and your bill still doesn\u2019t reflect your efforts, your energy company might be at fault. Read more about how to purchase electricity in Texas and other deregulated areas <a href=\"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/blog\/how-to-shop-for-electricity-in-texas\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>By making these small changes to your<br \/>\nhome and lifestyle, you\u2019ll lower your energy consumption, which is what leads<br \/>\nto saving some serious money in the long term. Not only can these steps<br \/>\nsignificantly reduce your bill, but they can create a more sustainable future<br \/>\nfor everyone in the process. And that\u2019s what motivates us, too. <\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n<p><strong>Sources<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a aria-label=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/electricity\/sales_revenue_price\/pdf\/table5_a.pdf (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/electricity\/sales_revenue_price\/pdf\/table5_a.pdf\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/electricity\/sales_revenue_price\/pdf\/table5_a.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a aria-label=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=10271 (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=10271\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/todayinenergy\/detail.php?id=10271<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/winterizingyourhome.org\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/winterizingyourhome.org<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a aria-label=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/refrigerator-cleaning-tips_b_2067458 (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/refrigerator-cleaning-tips_b_2067458\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.huffpost.com\/entry\/refrigerator-cleaning-tips_b_2067458<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You can easily lower your home electric bill when you implement our 9 tried-and-true energy usage reduction tips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":23548,"parent":627,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-23405","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23405"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/23405\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/627"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chariotenergy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}