Let’s take a look at the electricity bill, which is one of the top expenditures every month. No homeowners want to pay hundreds of dollars each month to the utility companies, so here are some helpful habits that could help crush your electricity bill.

Dryer balls are an inexpensive way to decrease drying time on your laundry loads. When you use dryer balls, they can allow you to skip fabric softener as well, saving you even more money. 

One way to reduce your electricity bill is to replace your light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights or LED bulbs. Some homeowners don’t like the light from CFL’s, so they’re trying to buy LED’s when their current lights bulbs die – and they’re much cheaper than they used to be. You’ll be amazed to know they will run several years before you have to replace them again.

Adjust your thermostat up or down a few degrees, and it will save you hundreds of dollars each year. It can save you even more if you use electric heat anywhere in your house. It’s also wise to install a Nest Thermostat as it can help you save even more.

Do you know that some utility companies charge more for energy during peak times? If so, you can reduce your electricity bill when you run the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer later at night when energy costs are cheaper. These suggestions will only work if your utility company has “dual time” rates. With the flat rates, it doesn’t matter what time you use energy. Contact your energy company to find out more.

Air drying your clothes might be hard to do in the colder months, but when you do it on a sunny day, you will love the smell of sun-dried clothes.

You can also reduce your electric bill when you replace your HVAC filter regularly. You can save even more when you buy HVAC filters in bulk. Once you know your dimensions, you can find 6 or 10 packs on Amazon for a fraction of the cost of the big box stores.

Make it a habit to not just turn off your appliances, but also to unplug them when you are not using them. Turning off an item is just not enough, as they still pull electricity when they are plugged in. 

Your utility company may have some cost-savings programs available to you. Some companies sometimes offer to install remotely controlled thermostats that are set to shut off from time to time. When you apply for this, you will notice a decrease in your monthly electricity bill.

Covering drafty windows with plastic in the winter is not enough. You need to install weather stripping around doors, which allows air in and out. You can also install insulation pads to go inside electrical outlets and add spray foam around windows. It can help reduce your utility bill.

Installing ceiling fans in all rooms will help keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the water. Electricity costs will decrease because ceiling fans use less energy than the furnace or an A/C unit.

Install a programmable thermostat that can be set to lower during the day when you aren’t home and at night when you are sleeping. By using a programmable thermostat, you won’t forget to drop it before you leave, and wind up heating an empty home.

Upgrading all of your appliances involves a significant amount of money, so don’t rush out to upgrade right away. The best time to do it is when one appliance breaks down, and then you can replace it with the best energy-saving appliance you can afford.

With just a few simple, no-cost, or modest changes, you can quickly reduce your electricity bill each month. When you follow any of these habits, you will save money on your utilities right away.