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Over 100 million Americans facing winter energy bills that will rise faster than inflation at 7.6% — 5 tips to help you save

AnyFans 2025-09-25

By Camilla Sharman

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It appears that the price increases will start to impact not only low-income families, but also those with middle incomes, and there is now an even greater need to address how energy can be conserved and used efficiently in the home.
5 best ways to save energy at home and beat the price hike

(Image credit: Shutterstock)
To help you find the best ways to save energy at home and still stay warm, I called on the expertise of Austin Kilgore, lead researcher and personal finance analyst at the Achieve Center for Consumer Insights, who shares his 5 top tips.
1. Understand what you are paying and your usage
Kilgore’s first piece of advice is to get to know what you are paying for and hone in on your household’s usage. “What works for one person, or family, won’t necessarily be the same as what works for others,” says Kilgore. “Learn what your utilities actually cost, and what your individual patterns are. Look at recent bills to find out the cost per gallon of water, per kilowatt of electricity or per therm of natural gas. Focus your saving efforts where you and your family will save the most money.”
2. Turn down the dial
“We’ve all heard it before, but turning down the furnace saves, as does turning the temperature up on the air conditioner,” says Kilgore.
And he adds that according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average homeowner can save 10% on heating and cooling bills by adjusting the thermostat by 7-10°F for eight hours a day from its normal setting (which can most easily occur at night).
To make this easier, he suggests purchasing a programmable thermostat, and he adds, “You can gradually turn the thermostat down a degree or two during the winter months as you acclimatize to cooler weather.”

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3. Check out your home for leaks
It’s also a good idea to inspect your home for hot and cold spots. “Check your home visually (and by feel) to know where any cold (or hot) air can enter,” advises Kilgore.
Once you spot a draft, you can take steps to secure the gaps. “It could be installing weather stripping around windows and doors, and using door sweeps or inexpensive “draft dodgers” to block drafts.
He also mentions that electrical outlets, locks, air conditioning units and even recessed light fixtures can be culprits for air leaks.
4. Insulate your attic
Heat rises, so if your attic is poorly insulated, heat will escape through your roof. Kilgore says, for this reason, insulating your attic is one of the best ways to lower heating costs in your home.
“Annual savings will depend on where you live, but will be at least $400 or more if you insulate a 1,000-square-foot attic that previously was not insulated [when using R-38 insulation]”, he claims.
5. Consider how you handle daily chores
You can also save energy by considering how you handle daily chores, with Kilgore suggesting that a simple solution is changing how you wash your clothes. You can swap your hot wash for a cold wash, as most detergents will work well in cooler temperatures.
He also suggests getting into the habit of drying clothes outdoors whenever possible, or using a drying rack indoors when it’s too cold or wet outside. What’s more, make sure you fully load your dishwasher before turning on a cycle, and perhaps you can spend less time in the shower. There are also plenty of ways you can make your refrigerator more efficient.
All of these changes won’t make a huge impact on your daily life, but they can go a long way to help you use less energy.
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Camilla Sharman

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Staff Writer, Homes

Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides.

Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.

Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.

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