That gut-punch feeling when you open your utility bill? I’ve been there. For years, I didn’t pay much attention. The bills would come, I’d pay them, and I’d complain about how high they were. It felt like a fixed cost of living, something totally out of my control. But the truth is, a lot of that cost was my own doing.
When I was stuck in a cycle of bad habits like gaming for hours on end, my computer and monitors would be humming all day and night. The lights were always on. I was too lazy to get up and change the thermostat. I was wasting money because I was wasting my time and energy on things that didn't matter. When I finally started my journey to build a better life—losing over 110 pounds and finding purpose in my faith—I realized something important. Taking control of my health and taking control of my finances were connected. Both are about stewardship. They are about being responsible and intentional with the resources God has given us, whether it's our bodies or our bank accounts.
Saving money on utilities isn't about sitting in the dark and shivering. It's about being smart and cutting out the waste. Here are 20 practical ways I’ve learned to lower those bills, one small step at a time.
Tame Your Biggest Bills: Heating and Cooling
Your heater and air conditioner are the heavyweights of your energy bill. A few small tweaks here can make a huge difference.
- Set it and forget it. A programmable or smart thermostat is a game-changer. You can set it to use less energy when you’re asleep or away from home. No more forgetting to turn it down.
- Seal the leaks. Feel a draft near a window or door? That’s money escaping. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal those gaps. It’s a cheap and easy fix that pays for itself.
- Become a fan of fans. In the summer, a ceiling fan can make a room feel several degrees cooler, letting you raise the thermostat. In the winter, reverse the fan’s direction to push warm air down.
- Change your filters. A dirty filter makes your HVAC system work harder, which uses more energy. I set a recurring reminder on my phone to check mine once a month. It only takes two minutes.
- Use your curtains. On hot, sunny days, close the blinds or curtains to block the sun’s heat. On cold days, open them up to let the free heat in.
Conquer the Kitchen and Laundry Room
These rooms are full of hardworking appliances. Help them work smarter, not harder.
- Wash clothes in cold water. Most of the energy used for laundry comes from heating the water. Modern detergents work great in cold water, and it’s gentler on your clothes.
- Only run full loads. Your dishwasher and washing machine use about the same amount of energy and water per cycle, no matter how full they are. Wait until they’re full to run them.
- Air dry whenever possible. Skip the dryer cycle for your dishes. Just open the door after the wash cycle and let them air dry. For clothes, a drying rack or clothesline is your best friend on a sunny day.
- Think small. Your microwave uses far less energy than your oven. Use it for reheating leftovers or cooking smaller meals.
- Clean the lint trap. Just like your HVAC filter, a clean lint trap helps your dryer run efficiently and safely. Clean it out before every single load.
Master Your Water and Wattage
Every light left on and every drop of water wasted adds up. Let’s tighten things up.
- Switch to LED bulbs. They use up to 90% less energy than old incandescent bulbs and last for years. The upfront cost is a little higher, but the long-term savings are massive.
- Slay the "vampire" power. Many electronics keep drawing power even when they’re turned off. Think phone chargers, TVs, and game consoles. Plug them into a power strip and flip the switch off when you’re not using them. This was a huge one for me, especially with my old gaming setup.
- Fix that drip. A single leaky faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of water a year. That’s literally money down the drain. Most fixes are simple and just require a new washer.
- Take shorter showers. Try to cut just two minutes off your shower time. If you want a challenge, time yourself. You’d be surprised how much hot water (and the energy to heat it) you can save.
- Turn off the tap. Don’t let the water run while you’re brushing your teeth or washing dishes by hand. It’s a simple habit that saves gallons every day.
Smart Habits for Long-Term Savings
The best tools are good habits. These final tips are about being mindful and proactive.
- Dress for the season. In winter, put on a sweater instead of cranking up the heat. In summer, wear shorts and a t-shirt. It sounds basic, but it really works.
- Close doors to unused rooms. Why heat or cool a room nobody is in? Close the door and shut the vents to concentrate your energy where you need it most.
- Read your bill. Take a minute to actually look at your usage each month. Is it higher than last month? Why? Understanding your patterns is the first step to changing them.
- Do a yearly check-up. Once a year, call your electricity, gas, and internet providers. Ask them if you’re on the best plan for your needs or if they have any new promotions. A five-minute call can save you a lot.
- Embrace small wins. You don’t have to do all of these things at once. I learned from my health journey that big changes are built on small, consistent victories. Start with one or two tips that seem easiest to you.
Taking control of my habits changed my life, and it also changed my utility bills. It wasn't about punishing myself; it was about honoring the life I wanted to build—one that was responsible, intentional, and free from unnecessary waste.
So, where will you start? Pick just one thing from this list you can do today. Maybe it’s finally fixing that dripping sink or simply turning off a power strip tonight. What's your first step going to be?
