Since utilities represent a big chunk of household expenses, everyone wants to save money with a lower electric bill. From harnessing solar energy to cooking with a crock pot, people everywhere are becoming increasingly more conscious about saving electricity.

1. Solar Energy

Tapping into solar power is a smart way to achieve a lower electric bill. Every day, free solar energy beats down on the rooftop. Installing panels to harvest this solar power will save money and protect the planet.

2. Water

People literally flush money down the drain every time they waste water. Simply turning off the water to shampoo, condition, or brush teeth will save money.

3. Light-bulbs

Replacing the old, energy-sucking light-blubs with new, efficient LED lights is well worth the investment. The lower electric bill will provide quick reimbursement for the initial cost.

4. Air Conditioning

For every degree they raise their thermostat, homeowners save money on cooling costs. Wearing light clothing, running ceiling fans, and keeping the dial set at the warmest possible setting will result in a significantly lower electric bill.

5. Heating

Wearing warm clothing and setting the thermostat as low as the homeowner can comfortably stand will reduce heating costs.

6. Meal Preparation

Since ovens expend a significant amount of energy in heat, they should only be used when a household heating effect is desirable. In warm weather, slow cookers, microwaves, and toaster ovens are more temperature-friendly cooking alternatives.

7. Laundry

Simply washing clothes in cold water instead of hot can save upwards of $150 per year. Hang-drying saves even more. Drying clothes on racks throughout the house not only saves energy by not running the drier, but it also reduces cooling costs because the evaporation cools the air.

8. Waste Not; Want Not

Homeowners who don't waste electricity save thousands of dollars throughout their lives. Simple things like turning off the lights when leaving a room and making sure the AC is turned off before leaving on vacation turn into huge savings if they are done consistently.

9. A Tight Seal

It requires less energy to heat and cool a house that is properly sealed. Regularly re-caulking around doors and windows ensures that no tiny cracks are allowing in the outside climate.

10. Devious Drains

Any plugged-in electrical device may slowly suck energy. Unplugging them when they are not being used prevents them from draining power.