How to Save Energy at Home in 2025

With a downturn in the economy, it's getting harder for the average person to pay the bills. "For many families, the power bill now rivals the rent check for stress," Owen Quinlan, head of data at Arbor, an app for saving money on your electricity bill, told Move. "One-third of Americans have already trimmed grocery budgets or skipped entertainment to cover cooling costs during heat waves."

A national survey by Arbor found that seventy-one percent of respondents don't trust the accuracy of their bills, nearly seventy percent confessed they cannot decode the fees, and rate factors, and forty-one percent said they're losing sleep over rising costs.

Millennials are feeling the pressure the most—over half say they deal with moderate to high stress every time a new bill drops. Even a $20 to $50 surprise increase (which is exactly what many households might see this year) can throw off a tight monthly budget. It's no wonder electricity is now the second-biggest financial headache after housing.

Luckily, there are quite a few things you can do to help lower your energy bill and save a little coin in 2025. Here are 15 tips to get you on your way.

Your refrigerator is one of your biggest energy hogs, so make sure you don't use more than you need to. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, you should set your fridge between 28 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer between 0 and 5 degrees. Any lower, and you'd be wasting unnecessary power.

"Focus on your [electricity] rate, not just your behavior," Quinlan told me. "A lot is written about how changing your behavior can save you money. That’s true. But most of us don’t want to constantly unplug devices or reset the thermostat just to shave a few dollars off our bill. If you live in a deregulated state, you can shop around for a lower rate."

"Your HVAC's efficiency can die by a thousand cuts," Vernon Trollinger of Texas Electricity Ratings (Energy Ratings LLC), told me. "If your ductwork has gaps or leaks from numerous little holes, all that expensive heated/cooled air is blowing out where you don't want it to go. Plus, due to vibration and thermal expansion/contraction, the ductwork can gradually pull itself apart.

"So, once a year, inspect your home's ductwork by wetting your hand and feeling along the ductwork for any moving air. When you find a spot, cover it with a piece of aluminum HVAC tape (about $ 10–don't use the vinyl stuff, it decays). Plugging holes and reconnecting sections can improve its performance by 20% to 30%. In some cases, homeowners can save up to $300 a year. Plus, if you insulate your ductwork, you can save another $250 a year."

"The heat means more outfit changes. All those quick laundry loads can really increase your energy and water bills. Each load of laundry costs around $0.50–$1.00 in energy and water — cutting just two loads a week saves $100+ a year," says Jamie Wall, Personal finance strategist at Gamblizard.

"Try hanging clothes outside to air-dry, instead of washing them after just one wear. You can also freshen them up with a quick spray of fabric refresher or use the 'refresh' setting on your dryer rather than washing them."

"There's been news that the EPA could end the Energy Star program," says Trollinger. "As a result, this year may be one of the last chances for homeowners to take advantage of Energy Star rebate programs through their local utilities. These rebate programs can offer consumers HUGE savings on insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, water heaters, and appliances.

"With that in mind, seriously consider upgrading your home's HVAC system if it's more than 10 years old. This becomes even more urgent if your HVAC dates from 2010 or older because it probably uses the banned refrigerant, R-22. If your system leaks out this coolant, you will not be able to refill it, and your AC will not work!"

"You already know that appliances draw phantom power even when not in use — it can cost you $100-150 a year. But in hot weather, plugged-in appliances do double damage: they release small amounts of heat that force your AC to work harder," says Wall. "And during extremely hot weather, they’re more likely to overheat, especially if they’re old, have heating elements, or worn-out components. Unplugging them isn’t just about saving energy. It’s also about safety, since overheating can lead to malfunctions, damage, or even fire."

Energy Star recommends cleaning and adjusting blower components for better airflow in your AC system. Airflow problems can drag down your system's efficiency by up to 15 percent. If you're not handy, your best bet is to hire someone to do it for you through a service like Thumbtack.

Okay, you may love your scalding hot showers, but having your water heater set up too high can cost you money. Remember, that hot water isn't just used in your shower; it's used to wash dishes and clothes, too. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends lowering your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit for the best savings.

Using the oven raises the temperature inside your home, making your AC work harder. Plus, the oven uses electricity, too (if it's not 100% gas). Don't worry, you can still eat, you just need to be creative:

• Use the outdoor grill to cook up some burgers, hot dogs, or chicken. You can get little tabletop charcoal grills for as little as $20.
• Eat sandwiches and a salad for dinner.
• Try a cold soup recipe.
• Have a "girl dinner" and make a fruit, meat, and cheese plate or a charcuterie board.

Something as simple as curtains can save you money on electricity. "Use floor-length insulated drapes to block out the sun on south-facing windows in the summer to prevent a room from heating up," says Trollinger. "Keeping long drapes closed over north-facing windows can also help keep those rooms warm in the winter by slowing air circulation over the cold glass (the heat-sink effect). By doing this, you can knock off about 18% from your annual energy usage, which adds up to about $250 a year."

"Take advantage of rebates and incentives for home upgrades," says Quinlan. "If you're ready to invest in longer-term energy savings, there’s help available. There are a wide range of federal, state, and local incentives designed to lower the upfront cost of energy-efficient upgrades. This includes things like heat pumps, weatherization, insulation, smart thermostats, and even electric panel updates. Organizations like Rewiring America offer great resources to help you understand what rebates or tax credits you might qualify for. These incentives can make a big dent in the initial cost and make it much more realistic to upgrade your home and lower your bills for the long haul.

"Houses absorb lots of infra-red energy (heat) during the day and radiate that heat well into the night," says Trollinger. "As a result, it's not uncommon for the temperature in an average home to rise 2 to 3°F two to three hours after sunset. If you're trying to cut your AC use in the summer, one key tip is to open windows in the upper floor and put fans in them at night. Just like putting a fan on a computer CPU heat sink, the moving air helps cool the home. You could cut your AC bills by as much as 25% a month."

"Community solar is one of the easiest and most overlooked ways to save on your bill," says Quinlan. "It lets you subscribe to a share of a local solar farm and get credits on your monthly utility bill based on the electricity your share produces. You don’t need to install anything. You just sign up and get a discount. Most programs offer a guaranteed savings of around 5 to 10 percent each month. Not every state offers it, but if you live somewhere that does, it’s worth checking to see if there’s a program in your area. These spots tend to fill up fast."

"Replace your air filters to improve airflow and increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems," says Colarulli. "This simple step could lower your energy consumption by up to 15%!"