These days, it seems that almost everything you buy comes with a plug on the end of it, ready to suck up electricity to power screens, brew coffee, and help us to enjoy many of the luxurious comforts that we sometimes take for granted. For many families, the monthly utility bill can be a sensitive topic, and underneath the piles of power blocks and iPhone chargers, you might feel as though there’s a constant weight on your shoulders. So what’s the solution? Well, if you’re wondering how to save on your electric bill, there are several methods that won’t have a drastic impact on your daily routine. With a bit of planning and conscious effort, you can cut down on your usage without cutting down on the fun. Here are 10 ways to save money on your utility bill – and you can implement all of them today.

1. LED Lighting

Traditional lightbulbs are becoming a thing of the past, and there are numerous LED options that provide the same amount of light with a fraction of the electrical consumption. Lowering your electric bill charges doesn’t have to mean lights out, either. Installing dimmer switches can enable you to utilize only the light that you need instead of fully illuminating each room of your home. Plus, they’ll help you create the perfect ambiance so that you can reach for a book instead of a power-hungry tablet or phone.

2. Energy-Efficient Appliances

Older appliances typically consume far more electricity than newer models. Manufacturers are continually developing new technology to help with lowering electric bill charges and upgrading common appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves, and laundry machines can save you a bundle each year. If you’re wondering how to save on your electric bill, look for high-efficiency ENERGY STAR appliances that use less power during operation. There are also ways to monitor your appliances so that you can see where your hard-earned dollars are being spent.

3. Utilize “Off-Peak” Hours

Many municipalities have set times where energy rates are higher due to significant demand by commercial and industrial activity. By learning when the peak times are, you can schedule some of your own consumption so that you get the best rates. This might mean doing laundry in the evenings instead of during the day, but lowering electric bill charges will be well worth the switch. Laundry machines consume a lot of energy, and in this case, procrastinating will make a big difference!

4. Install a PowerX Smart Suite

Closely monitoring the electrical consumption of individual appliances can help you pinpoint issues that may be adding to your monthly bill. The PowerX Smart Suite consists of five devices that measure, manage, and detect problems with your water heater, main water supply, and electrical panel. Combined, these devices send information to a hub that can optimize your appliances, help them to use less power, and ensure that you still have what you need when you need it (for those long, hot showers). Of all 10 ways to save money on your utility bill, this one is by far the most efficient in the long run because it provides you with real, actionable data to help with lowering electric bill charges.

5. Replace Your Showerheads

Strong pressure is nice, but how much excess water is your showerhead spitting out? Many traditional showerheads pump out around 17 gallons per shower, while energy-conscious showerheads can get that number down to only 10 gallons or so. When you’re paying by the gallon, that makes a big difference! Choosing a lower flow showerhead and being aware of how much time you spend underneath it can help you reduce your monthly costs as well as save water.

6. Turn Down Your Thermostat

Of all 10 ways to save money on your utility bill, this one is the easiest. While you might enjoy keeping your home at a toasty 78 degrees, it often takes a lot of energy to keep it there. Turning your thermostat down a couple of degrees won’t make a big difference to your comfort, but it will help with lowering electric bill or gas costs. 72 degrees is quite comfortable for most people, but you can take it a step further and set your thermostat to drop down to 65 degrees during the night to save even more.

7. Stick to Cold Wash Cycles

It’s likely that the majority of your dirty laundry isn’t all that dirty, so unless you’ve made a complete mess, try switching to cold wash cycles. Detergent suited for high-efficiency machines is designed to perform well in cold water, so you’ll still have fresh, clean clothes without the added cost on your monthly bill.

8. Switch to a Cheaper Provider

Fifteen minutes might save you more than you think. Obtaining a list of energy providers from your utility company can enable you to shop for the best rates and may significantly lower electric bill charges. Delivery costs vary between different suppliers, so it’s worth a phone call to determine if you’re paying more than you need to be for the same service.

9. Change Your Filters

If your furnace or air conditioner has to work harder to pump air through your home, it will use more power to do so. Checking your filters and replacing them regularly helps to increase airflow so that your heating and cooling equipment can run more efficiently and use less energy. This will also help to prolong the life of your equipment so that you aren’t faced with repair costs in addition to your monthly bill.

10. Install Ceiling Fans

Air conditioning isn’t the only way to keep cool during warmer days. Installing ceiling fans in bedrooms and living rooms can help to prevent the air in your home from becoming stagnant and provide you with better comfort both during the day and at night. The gentle breeze that ceiling fans generate is often all it takes to cool down, and they use far less energy than power-thirsty air conditioning units. That, right there, is how to save on your electric bill.

Minimize Costs by Maximizing Efficiency

Reducing your energy consumption doesn’t have to leave you hot, dirty, or in the dark. In fact, these 10 ways to save money on your utility bill are easy to implement and can even help your lower your carbon footprint. Monitoring how much energy your home uses provides you an advantage that you can measure, and the PowerX Smart Suite can handle all the work for you – that way, you can budget for your monthly utility costs and put the savings towards something that really matters. Learn more about how to save on your electric bill with the PowerX Smart Suite and start lowering electric bill charges today.