Energy bills can get extremely high, especially in large houses with multiple residents. There are a number of ways to reduce the amount of your electric bill, ranging from negotiating a lower rate for your energy from your electricity provider to purchasing energy efficient appliances. Depending on how much time and money you invest, you can generate a substantially lower electric bill for yourself, and even a few simple measures can reduce the amount of the bill by up to 30%. A lower electric bill also represents savings for the environment as well, since it indicates that you are using less energy, as a general rule.

To achieve a lower electric bill, start by finding out how much you pay for energy. Most utility companies start subscribers off at a base rate which can sometimes be very high. If you are low-income, you may qualify for low-income subsidies, so you should ask your electric company about how to apply for these subsidies. You may also consider entering a time of use meter program, which offers different energy rates depending on what time of day the power is used, with a substantial savings in off-peak hours which can translate into a lower electric bill. Finally, if you are disabled and you rely on life support equipment or need a very controlled temperature, you may qualify for monthly energy rebates.

After you have established that you have the best energy rate possible, you can get a lower electric bill by changing the way you use the energy. Start by turning off lights you do not use, because while this savings is small, it can add up to a much lower electric bill in the long run. Using florescent bulbs can also help to lower your electric bill, since they use less energy. Try hanging clothing on a clothesline in good weather rather than using a dryer, running your dishwasher at night without the heated dry function and opening it to air dry overnight, and opening your windows for ventilation in the summer, rather than using air conditioning.

A few small purchases may help generate a lower electric bill. Fans can be used for air circulation in winter and summer to maintain temperatures without using forced heating and cooling systems. Close off rooms you do not use frequently as well, rather than trying to keep them at the same temperature as the rest of the house. You should also acquire a programmable thermostat, if you don't already have one, and set the temperature lower at night. Not only will this lower your electric bill, it will also help you sleep, since cooler temperatures promote healthy sleep, according to studies by the Stanford Sleep Center. You may also want to consider timers for things like exterior lights and your hot water heater. By putting the hot water heater on a timer, you can lower your electric bill dramatically.

If you want to keep the cost of electricity even lower, consider investing some energy in your house itself. Many energy companies offer free energy audits, in which an employee will inspect your house and make recommendations. These recommendations commonly include installing fresh weatherstripping around doors and windows and adding insulation. Although you may outlay a sizable chunk of cash retrofitting your home, it will show in a lower electric bill. In some cases, an energy company will even help you pay for energy efficiency measures, and it doesn't hurt to ask!

Finally, more energy efficient appliances will lower your electric bill. You may not want to replace all of your appliances at once, but as they wear out, look for appliances with recommendations from organizations like Energy Star. High efficiency washers and dryers can save you a great deal of money, as can refrigerators and hot water heaters which are designed to use less energy. As a general rule, gas is cheaper than electricity for heating and stoves, and you may want to consider switching to gas for these appliances. You can also get a lower electric bill by installing solar panels, along with a passive solar water heating system.