Simple ways to reduce your monthly electricity bill

Nowadays, monthly electricity bills can take up a significant portion of many people's household budgets, especially during the hot season when the demand for air conditioners, fans and cooling devices increases.

Many families were also "startled" when receiving their electricity bill, but after applying some simple, easy-to-implement saving strategies that have been proven effective by many people, electricity costs have decreased significantly.

1. Switch to LED bulbs

Replacing old incandescent or halogen bulbs with LED bulbs is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce your household energy bill. While the initial purchase price of LED bulbs may be a little higher, they use much less energy and last many times longer, saving you both running costs and replacement costs in the long run.

To put it simply, an 8-10W LED bulb can produce the same brightness as a 60W incandescent bulb. If you replace all the lights that are regularly turned on, such as in the living room, kitchen or hallway, the energy savings can be up to hundreds of kWh per year. This is a small change but brings about a clear effect, helping to reduce monthly electricity bills.

2. Adjust your daily electricity usage habits

Often, significant energy savings come from small changes in daily living habits. You don’t necessarily have to buy new equipment or upgrade your electrical system, but by paying more attention to how and when you use electricity, you can significantly reduce your costs over time.

Start with simple things like turning off the lights when you leave a room, unplugging unused appliances, or opening the blinds to let in natural light instead of turning on the lights during the day. These small actions, when done consistently, add up to big savings each month.

In addition, shortening your shower time can also help reduce both your electricity and water bills. Although taking a long hot shower can be relaxing, the amount of energy needed to heat the water is not small.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, hot water accounts for about 18 percent of a household’s total energy consumption, second only to cooling and heating costs. So making small adjustments to your showering habits can have a lasting positive impact on both your wallet and the environment.

3. Unplug devices when not in use

Many people think that when a device is turned off, it stops consuming electricity, but the reality is different. Many modern devices still consume electricity even when they are not in use. Game consoles, coffee makers, TVs on standby, and even laptop chargers silently consume electricity if they are plugged in, even when they are not charging anything.

This power consumption may seem insignificant at first glance, but “a few winds add up.” According to the US Department of Energy, electronic devices in standby mode account for 5–10% of the average household’s annual electricity consumption. If your home has more than average appliances, that number is even higher.

The solution is simple: unplug unused appliances. This simple habit can help reduce your electricity bill and avoid wasting energy.

4. Use smart power outlets

Even if you're careful to turn them off, many electronics still silently consume power in standby mode. The simple solution is to unplug them, but this can be inconvenient because you have to remember to do it every day until it becomes a habit.

This is where smart power outlets come in handy as they can automatically detect when a device is in standby mode and cut off the power, completely eliminating wasted energy without you having to lift a finger.

Unlike regular outlets, smart outlets are sophisticated enough to differentiate between devices that need to be constantly running (like a Wi-Fi router) and peripherals that can be turned off when not in use (like a printer or speaker). Many models also support on/off timers, remote control via an app, and real-time monitoring of power consumption.

They are especially useful in home offices or entertainment areas where multiple devices are connected. For example, when you turn off your computer, a smart plug can simultaneously cut power to your monitor and speakers, saving you a lot of energy.

5. Dry clothes naturally when possible

The clothes dryer is one of the most energy-consuming appliances in the home. Each drying time may not be noticeable, but when added up over the course of a month, especially for a large family, the electricity bill can increase significantly. Therefore, whenever possible, prioritize natural drying by taking advantage of the sunlight.

You can start by limiting the amount of time you use the dryer for heavy, thick items like towels, jeans, or bedding. This alone will reduce your energy bill significantly over time.

If you are concerned that drying completely in natural light will take too long or make your clothes stiff, use the “combined” method, which means drying for a few minutes to soften and draw out moisture, then hanging them until completely dry.

This method not only helps you save electricity, but also keeps your clothes more durable, and at the same time brings the characteristic "fresh" feeling of clothes dried in natural sunlight.

6. Use electrical appliances efficiently

Even if you own energy-efficient appliances, how you operate them can determine your monthly electricity bill. Smart usage habits will help you get the most out of your appliances without wasting energy.

For example, only run your washing machine or dishwasher when it is full to save both water and electricity. Prioritize washing clothes in cold water, as heating water is one of the biggest consumers of electricity in the home.

In the kitchen, small changes can make a big difference, like covering your kettle when boiling water to retain heat, and letting hot food cool before putting it in the fridge to avoid overloading it. And if your appliances have energy-saving modes, turn them on whenever possible.

7. Seal gaps and insulate your home

If your home isn’t properly sealed and insulated, you’re letting your “energy bill” escape every day. Gaps around windows, doors, vents, or poorly insulated attics will force your air conditioner or heater to work harder to maintain the temperature, causing your energy bill to skyrocket.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), effective sealing and insulation can save the average household 15% on heating and cooling costs.

Sealing gaps is not as expensive as many people think. You can use caulk or tape to seal gaps, which is cheap and easy to do yourself. Prioritize the areas where air leaks are most likely to occur, such as around window frames, doors, baseboards, or where pipes and wires run through walls.

With just a few hours of work and a small amount of money, you can make your home warmer in the cold season, cooler in the hot season, and especially significantly reduce monthly electricity consumption.

8. Upgrade to energy-saving devices

If you want to go a step further than just stopping at simple energy-saving tips, consider upgrading to energy-efficient home appliances.

Even though old washing machines, refrigerators or air conditioners still run smoothly, they often secretly consume more electricity than you think, causing monthly bills to increase steadily over time.

Modern appliances are designed to optimize performance, significantly reducing energy consumption while still ensuring operational capacity. The initial investment cost may be higher, but the long-term savings are completely worth it, in many cases, you can even recover the investment in just a few years thanks to the reduced electricity bill.

The way to identify energy-saving devices is also very simple, that is, look for the label "Energy saving”, with the accompanying star symbol affixed to the device. The understanding is also quite simple because the more stars, the more energy-saving the device is.

In short, reducing your electricity bill doesn’t necessarily have to start with a big investment. Before you consider upgrading your energy-saving appliances, make the most of low-cost but high-efficiency solutions like replacing your light bulbs with LEDs, drying your clothes naturally, or adjusting your daily electricity usage habits.

When these small changes are applied consistently, you will be surprised at the amount of money you save each month, while also contributing to more sustainable energy use for your home./.