6 Ways to Save on Your Utility Bill

Saving money on your utility bills doesn't have to mean wearing your winter coat inside, forking over the money for a new heating or cooling unit – or convincing your landlord to replace it. There are lots of inexpensive ways to keep costs down in your home, so you can comfortably wear your pajamas.

But that may not be all it takes to keep your rates under control this year. Utility companies are pushing back against decreased energy use by seeking other ways to get more money from their customers. Read on for advice on both fronts.

As the Wall Street Journal reported on October 20, 2015, the Chicago-based Environmental Law & Policy Center reports that "utilities in at least 24 states" have requested higher monthly fees on consumers for the fixed costs of keeping electricity flowing through the grid. Fee increases could rise as high as 68% in Indiana and 50% in Connecticut, hitting hardest on low-use consumers such as the elderly and poor trying to save money by keeping thermostats low and those who have invested in energy-saving appliances. An accompanying U.S. map published with the article showed that only 9 states didn't have a proposal in the works or expected in the future.

State legislatures rule on public utility requests to raise rates so that's where consumers should focus if they're concerned that they might be badly hit by these proposed changes. Check your state and state representative for the latest on possible changes in how you might be charged.

In the meantime, use the following techniques to keep utility costs as low as possible, now that air-conditioning season has been followed by heating season in most parts of the U.S.

1. Perform an energy audit.
An energy audit is an inspection of your home for ways to shrink your utility bills, normally by eliminating unnecessary usage. For instance, if you see a space above your outside doors, you can assume that, in the winter, cold air from outside is entering, and hot air is escaping.

A simple energy audit you could perform yourself includes looking for air leaks (open space around doors or windows), checking insulation levels, tallying light bulb wattages and checking and changing filters in your heating and cooling units. You can also hire a professional energy auditor, or if you are a renter, ask your apartment manager (or landlord) to send a maintenance team member to perform an audit. Also, consider calling your utility company, which often employs an energy auditor who will come to your home for free.

2. Install a digital thermostat.
Heating your home is expensive, so there's no reason to pay for your heat when you're not at home. Purchase a digital thermostat from a home improvement store for less than $100. Then, program your thermostat to increase the temperature in your home half an hour before you arrive from work.

How much can you save? According to the Department of Energy, you can save 10-15% of your heating (and cooling bill) on an annual basis by reducing the temperature in your home by 10-15% for eight hours a day. This is approximately a temperature reduction of 70 degrees to 60 degrees while you're gone during the day.

Save even more money by reducing the temperature while you sleep under a heavy comforter or thick blanket at night. You can program the thermostat for a nighttime temperature that will return to the daytime temperature before your alarm clock wakes you up in the morning.

Although programming a thermostat can save you money, remember not to reduce the temperature too much while you're gone, especially if you have family or indoor pets at home during the day. If you are a renter, ask your landlord or apartment manager for permission before installing anything in your home.

3. Caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors.
Caulking and weatherstripping is the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce energy bills. This is because you are letting outside air directly into your home through cracks around doors and windows, causing your heating or cooling unit to work harder to keep the room at a comfortable temperature.

Air sealing a home can reduce heating and cooling costs by 20% according to statistics from the Alliance to Save Energy.

4. Improve insulation in attics and exterior walls.
According to the Alliance to Save Energy, adding extra insulation in your attic and exterior walls can reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 30%. Insulation can be bought relatively cheaply. Virtually any home's attic can be insulated for a few hundred dollars, or less if you do it yourself. Installing insulation in exterior walls is more complicated and should be done by a professional.

5. Ask your utility company about other pricing plans.
If you are in an area of the country that allows you to choose a utility provider, that provider might offer various pricing plans. One plan might offer lower pricing if you agree to be a customer for six months to one year. This is because the company is afraid of losing your patronage to another service provider. Be careful when you sign this agreement because if you decide to cancel within the time frame, you might have to pay a cancellation fee.

6. Switch light bulbs.
Switching from incandescent to CFL (compact flurescent) or LED (light emitting diode) bulbs can save substantially on lighting costs. If you're still using old bulbs you tucked away in your utility closet, now's the time to make the switch. LED bulbs use even less energy than CFL bulbs. Experiment to find the kind with the light that looks best in each place you use bulbs.

You can hang up your winter coat and be comfortable in your home while decreasing your utility bills. All you have to do is cut back on utility usage that doesn't have any benefit to you, such as letting heat escape through air leaks and leaving lights on in empty rooms. Your pajamas will thank you for it.

For other ways to reduce your utility bills read  Best 7 Money Saving Tips for Your Electric Bill and Ways to Slash Your Home Energy Bill.