20 Energy Saving Tips To Save Money In 2025

Are your bills higher than ever right now in the new normal? Times are tough in this tumultuous economy as costs are skyrocketing for homeowners and landlords alike. Winter is coming (or summer... whichever is more expensive for you) and that means increased energy use to control temperatures for homeowners and property owners. And now with tariffs on foreign oil and gas, prices are expected to rise even further for gasoline and electricity. Everyone has to tighten their belt and pinch pennies to improve their frugal finances in 2025. 

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But some bills are unavoidable and show up in your mail on or your credit and debit card statements each month, cutting into your frugal finances. We all have mandatory monthly costs like utilities cutting into your budget significantly. Your energy bills are probably eating away at your savings and investable income each month with many people feeling powerless to reduce or eliminate them. And even with the extreme increase in energy prices, some states and regions are still having power outages going into 2025! Power grids continue shutting down, and who knows what will happen to energy costs with the upcoming presidential election.

Exponential Energy Bill Increases

Energy prices are unfortunately only going one way, and that is way up with almost no end in sight! This is especially true with rising inflation and steep increases in oil and gas prices around the world. A lot of traditional fuel companies have been facing growth restrictions and some countries are being boycotted for their energy, driving up prices further for consumers around the world. Even states and nations proud of their renewable energy initiatives have reverted at least temporarily to natural gas, coal, and nuclear power just to support their power grids so people don't freeze to death. Gas, oil, and electricity are a lot more expensive than they used to be for homeowners and property owners, despite ESG standards being much higher nationwide and worldwide for appliances. 

There is not a lot of price reduction relief in sight despite some stimulus checks in a few areas of the world. Most government safety nets for energy relief and financial protection have ended or will be ending soon, leaving consumers to fend for themselves.

So, how do you make the most out of your energy, fuel, and utilities to help cut costs each month? Frugal Finance has you covered on smart and simple energy saving methods. Here are 17 top tips to reduce energy use and save money daily along with lowering HVAC costs. 

Heating And Cooling Cost Cutting

Heating and cooling are the main culprits responsible for expensive utility bills. This is also the best place to explore cost-reduction measures for your household or workplace. Ensure your furnace or boiler is efficient with boiler coverage. It would be wise to check here for available plans to cut costs and improve efficiency with boilers if your home or property has an older one. 

Now read the additional 20 top ways to save on your bills and energy usage below. 

20 Top Energy Saving Tips To Lower Your Utility Bills

1. Inspect Seals On Doors, Windows, And Appliances 

Heat and cold care escape through the cracks in a matter of milliseconds. To avoid or minimize this, ensure your freezer and fridge are appropriately sealed to trap cold air inside. This also applies to windows and doors. Any seal malfunction could contribute to leaks and end up draining your heat, air conditioning, and/or wallet. 

2. Repair Leaky Ducts 

Gaps and leaks within your ductwork can lead to air loss and inflate your electricity bills. Sealing and insulating your air conditioning ducts, ventilation, and heating and cooling systems may go a long way towards lowering your bills. Caulking and seal repairs (or even duct tape) are frugal methods that can help to preserve heat or air conditioning every day to help your utility bill savings add up. You can also use duct tape to close gaps since that is what it is named after, and even purchase some at the local Dollar Tree (even though products now cost around $1.25 instead of $1, plus taxes).

3. Set Your Thermostat 

When you head to bed each night, lower your thermostat's temperature to between 10 and 15 degrees. This also applies when you are away from home for work or travels. By doing this for eight to twenty hours every day, you can significantly lower the energy you use to heat and cool your house all year round. 

You can be able to automate this process using a programmable thermostat or smart home device like NEST, Ecobee, Amazon Smart Thermostat, or Honeywell brand. Now you can adjust heat or AC levels from a convenient app on your smartphone!

4. Adjust The Temperature Settings Of Your Fridge And Freezer 

To cut energy costs, make sure you set the temperature of your fridge to 38 degrees and that of your freezer between 0 and 5 degrees. By doing this, you will keep your food fresh. Your fridge and freezer won't have to use much energy to maintain temperature. To make the most of your money, monitoring your expenditure is crucial. Observe trends and spot opportunities you can exploit. This will give you a clear idea of what you need to do to save some cash. Smart appliances and smart phones are excellent at tracking energy use and temperatures.

Water usage is also a crucial consideration for reducing energy and utility use. According to the Energy Department, hot water is the second-placed item driving high utility bills in most homes. Whether in the laundry room or the shower, reducing your hot water usage can significantly reduce your electricity costs in 2025. 

5. Take Shorter Showers 

You may save up to five gallons of water if you cut your shower time by two minutes. You will save money, reduce energy expenditure, lower water use, and free up valuable time! The phrase "time is money" applies to showering for sure. Set a timer if you need to or pretend that you are paying by the minute like in some public showers, because in reality you actually are!

6. Install A New Showerhead 

A water-efficient showerhead can reduce the amount of hot water you use and save up to 2,700 gallons per year. Get a shower head with the WaterSense label, certifying that it meets the Environmental Protection Agency's efficiency criteria. Or a high-pressure showerhead will allow you to take a quicker shower and therefore use less hot water in that way.

7. Avoid Washing Clothes In Hot Water 

Washing clothes with hot water is energy-intensive and only needed for certain garments, bulk items, or stains. If possible, use warm or cold water to do your laundry to avoid the extra heat costs. Sometimes the cold water actually works better anyways!

8. Repair Leaky Taps 

No one wants to hear that dripping sound every night. All of those drips add up day after day and night after night. Fix your faucets to save gallons of water 24/7. A quick visit from a plumber or watching a YouTube DIY video should do the trick.

9. Adjust Your Water Heater's Temperature 

Most water heaters are typically set at 140 degrees. If you lower this default setting to 120 degrees instead, you may save water heating costs by around 10% annually. Leaving town for the weekend? Make sure you turn that water heater to its lowest setting to save more energy. This is especially helpful if you have a small household and don't have to worry about running out of hot water for daily family member showers and baths. You also have to consider dishwashers and washing machines.

10. Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances 

If you are looking for a new water heater, washing machine, or dishwasher, consider purchasing an energy-efficient model to save energy usage for longer. For example, a dishwasher with the Energy Star label should use 3.5 gallons of water or less every cycle. Some older dishwasher models may use more than 10 gallons per cycle. For appliances that run nearly all day or for weeks like the fridge, water heater, TV, and HVAC system, consider buying energy-efficient models. 

The latest energy efficient appliances can more than pay for themselves within a couple of years. Many of them turn off or go on eco-mode when they are unused for a period of time, saving more electricity and money.

11. Inquire About Discounted Rates From Utility Providers 

During certain times of the day, you may enjoy cheaper rates for you to do energy-intensive chores, like laundry. Electronics and lighting account for roughly 11% or more of a typical residential utility bill. And if you are a good negotiator, there is always the chance that you could strike a discounted deal with your utility providers. 

12. Change Your Lightbulbs 

You can save up to $75 per year by replacing bulbs in the five frequently-used light fixtures with LED bulbs or compact fluorescents (CFL) that have the Energy Star label. The LED bulb option is much better these days if you have the choice and they will pay for themselves in no time. They also don't get as hot so it can actually make them safer in terms of potential burns or fires. 

LED bulbs are so much more efficient than incandescent bulbs that the United States and some other nations are essentially restricting or banning their use. There are much fewer incandescent bulbs for sale now and a lot less in terms of legacy bulb products being produced. This helps to save consumers money, improve energy independence, and enhance overall safety.

13. Set Up Dimmer Switches 

Dimmers allow you to determine a room's brightness at a sliding scale customized level. This lets you set the mood that suits your needs and saves energy in the process. Make sure to use LED light bulbs that are compatible with dimmer switches to get the most energy reduction and avoid flickering lights at certain dimming levels. Dimmer switches may cost slightly more money initially but overall they will more than pay for themselves on your electricity bills.

14. Use Smart Power Strips 

For devices that don't truly power off while connected to electricity, plug them into a power strip. This mainly applies to devices with remote controls. High quality power strips also provide additional safety with surge protector capacity which could prevent overloads or fires in certain cases.

15. Conduct An Energy Audit 

Utility providers will often perform energy audits to determine ways to cut down on your energy usage. There are many other methods to reduce power use that you may not have thought about but an expert could identify quickly. Often times energy audits are free due to government energy efficiency programs. Your local and federal government wants you to be more efficient with your energy use and has an incentive to help you. 

16. Install Solar Panels Or Wind Turbines On Your Property

Want to generate your electricity for free? Interested in selling your excess electricity to the local power company? Then renewable energy generation is your ticket! Solar energy panels or wind turbines / windmills will generate your power and help you save countless costs while going green. You may even qualify for government tax credits to save even more money while cutting back on energy! And the power company in your area is legally required to buy your excess electricity, so you will end up getting a credit or check each month from them. 

17. Go Off The Grid

Want to take energy savings to the extreme and live off the land? If you want to save even more money, consider going off the grid as a homesteader for full self-sufficiency. Buy a piece of land in a remote area for a bargain price and work it yourself while setting up wind, solar, and minimal fossil fuel sources to generate energy. It can be a risky move, but also rewarding in many ways. 

18. Get A Hybrid, Electric, Or Great Gas Mileage Vehicle 

While this tip isn't technically for saving energy with your home, you can still save plenty of fuel by switching to a more efficient vehicle. Some efficient gas-powered vehicles get even better mileage than hybrids, like compact sedans or Smart cars.   

19. Purchase Electric Tools 

Using electric instead of gas-powered tools can help reduce energy costs as well. With a lawn mower, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, weed whacker, or snowblower you can eliminate gas use while lowering noise levels. Your neighbors will thank you and so will your gas bills!

20. Recharge Your Batteries 

Batteries cost a lot more money these days than they used to, and still power many aspects of your home and its devices. When you recharge batteries, you only spend a fraction of the cost compared to buying new ones. You also keep a lot of toxic waste out of landfills!

It is time to go green so you can save some green and maintain your frugal finances! Save energy and money more in 2025!

Energy Efficiency Excellence 

When it comes to living frugally and sustainably, energy efficiency is essential to conserve your cash. Keep these top tips in mind to help lower utility bills and reduce your energy use daily.

How To Save On Electric Bills With PC Power Supply

If your laptop or computer has a power supply rating at 500 watts, the amount of power that it is pulling from a wall is possibly high. This excess electrical use adds up over time and raises your electric bill monthly. That isn't frugal or sustainable, so it needs to be minimized or avoided.

This article will help you on how to learn how your computer power supply efficiency can affect your electricity costs from day to day consume and how you can trim down your monthly energy bill. It is also beneficial as it can be kind to the environment. 

What Is Power Supply Efficiency? 

The rating for efficient of a power supply indicates how much is the conversion of energy from the wall outlet power all throughout the internal power components. For example, a 75% efficiency power supply that is generating a 300W of internal power can draw approximately 400W of power from the wall. 

When you plug in your computer or laptop in the wall, the voltage will not flow straight to the components within the computer. Components like electrical circuits, current shunt resistors, chips that run at a lower voltage compared to the current that generates from a wall outlet. The power supply must be converted the incoming 110 or 220-volts to 3.3, 5, and 12-volt levels for the different internal circuits that are inside of your PC. The power supply must be reliable and can withstand all the tolerances to prevent damages that may incur in any of the devices. 

A power supply in a computer provides different voltages to internal devices in a PC through power connectors. Voltages don’t need to be precise for personal computers, but the only time they can vary up and down by a specific amount is what you called a tolerance. 

If your power supply is giving the parts of a PC with a specific voltage outside of this tolerance, the computer device(s) being supplied a powered may have the tendency not to work correctly. Or worse, it may not work at all. 

Table Of Voltage Tolerance (ATXv2.2) 

However, if you want to change the different requirements of the voltages circuits that drop energy as it is converting. Then this energy loss will usually be transferred as heat to a power supply. That is why most power supplies have fans installed on them to cool down the components and why a personal computer has fans as well. 

How Computer Power Supply Efficiency Affects Electricity Costs and Power Bills 

The exact efficiency rate will differ varying on the load amount and the condition of the circuits. Therefore, the higher efficiency rating of a PC laptop means fewer energy converts as waste. It can have a good impact on your power bills. Luckily, it is easy and straightforward to identify energy-efficiency in computer power supplies.

What is Your Company ESG Rating and Why Do You Want a High Score

In today's society, consumers want to do business with a company they believe in. People are putting their dollars into companies that are transparent. Investors and customers want their money to go to businesses that value the environment and social values.

It's not a small audience either. The market for sustainable goods and products in the US is expected to reach $250 billion by next year. The value of a company's ESG rating is skyrocketing.

ESG stands for environmental, social, and governance. The three categories refer to a company's actions and policies related to those three things. Businesses that score well in ESG ratings tap into a rapidly growing investment sector valued at $30.7 trillion.

Do you know what your company's ESG rating is? If you want to succeed in the new decade, your ESG score needs to be as high as possible. 

Read on to learn what you need to make sure you're raising your environmental, social, and governance rating.


The Value of the Environment

Climate change. Wildfires in Australia. Plastic filling our oceans. Environmental concerns fill the headlines and our news feeds. According to a recent Nielsen study, 81 percent of people believe companies should do something to improve the environment. 

With responses like that every company should pay attention to how its investors and consumers view its ESG rating. The value of commissioning an ESG report or using a reporting service is high enough that the cost is well worth it.

The relationship between a company and the environment needs to be demonstrated. Investors and consumers want transparency. They want to know that their dollars are supporting environmental change and health.

One reporting option is the Global Reporting Initiative. The GRI standards are used by 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The reports produced by GRI offer the transparency stakeholders want and need.

Spend time on your ESG rating. Companies need to know how the environment and how they interact with the environment can affect their rating.


Why a Social Conscience is Good for Your ESG Rating

It's not just about the environment. A company with a good social conscience will also score well in ESG reporting. 

Social conscience for business involves the relationships that business holds. Donating to charities, investing in local communities, staff that volunteer and employee safety are all part of the factors that make up a good ESG rating. 

As Forbes noted a few years back, 81 percent of Millenials expect businesses to be good citizens as well as produce good products and services. Millennials are the now and future of investing so valuing the same things they do will help businesses thrive.

The media is interested in socially responsible companies. Reporting from the media, as well as ESG reporting agencies, is increasing. Consumers and investors value socially responsible companies so headlines reflect that. 

Many well-known companies have featured in the media because of socially responsible policies. Examples of these companies include TOMS, Zappos, Virgin Atlantic, and Ben & Jerrys. Good media coverage leads to increased exposure and better ESG ratings.

ESG ratings that show a business is committed to its staff's wellbeing, its community, and sector-relevant issues boost the value of that business. Find an ESG consultant that understands the value of social conscience. 


Good Governance is Key 

Intending to make a business adhere to environmentally and socially responsible goals is a good first step. But internal and external governance is key to making that happen. Environmental, Social, and Governance ratings are also important in terms of reporting to stakeholders, customers, and investors.

Companies need to align environmental and social initiatives with criteria that ESG reports value. There are many ESG reporting agencies. Some of the best ESG reporting consultants and agencies in the world include Truvalue Labs, KPMG, and MSCI. 

But not all businesses can afford to use a global ESG consultant or reporting agency. Small businesses, in particular, often find these services too expensive. That's a shame because small businesses are often at the forefront of adopting ESG policies. 

There are cheaper options than big reporting agencies. One example of a more frugal ESG company is is B Lab. 

Whichever route a company chooses for ESG reporting their ESG ratings it will need internal metrics. Establishing good internal metrics forms the basis of good governance. Those metrics can then be used to tell the company's ESG story to external stakeholders. 

The value of having good governance and useful ESG metrics is that it will increase a company's ESG rating. Those ratings are valuable to savvy investors. The ratings show transparency. A TD Ameritrade survey found that 67 percent of investors are more concerned with a company's social and environmental causes than the rate of return they get on their investment. To get powerful information about ESG ratings, consultants, and reporting, read more here.


Invest in Your ESG Ratings

Investing in your ESG rating and how you report it is like investing in your company. Consumers want a high ESG score and that means investors do too.

If ESG reporting shows a business values social and environmental change investors and consumers will flock to that brand. The report on a business's ESG rating is becoming as valuable as the end-of-quarter sales report. It's a key performance indicator. Don't ignore it.

Find out your ESG score and you'll have a better understanding of how external stakeholders view your company. Once you know how your business scores you'll be able to introduce measures that will see it rise the ESG ratings table. 

Enter ESG Excellence

Remember, ESG factors involve many different indicators. From company culture to employee health and compensation to environmental footprint, ESG ratings impact how we all view a business. 

Investing in an ESG consultant to take your business to the next level and to ensure it is positioned to take advantage of the surge in ESG awareness among consumers is a smart move. 

How to Go Paperless at Home or in the Office | A Beginner's Guide

Have you ever had the feeling that your home or office is cluttered? Are you tired of shuffling through drawers of loose paper to find the receipt for that expensive work expense?

Receipts, sticky notes, and crumpled papers somehow have magic ways to end up in the weirdest places.

It's time to end the clutter, save the trees, and switch to paperless. 

Keep reading to learn how to go paperless at home and in the office.


Scan Everything

Your boss says it’s time to stop and count every single receipt that you have on your desk right now. Don’t forget the ones in the trashcan, too.

If you had already switched to paperless, this would be a simple task that could be completed in 10 minutes. But, if you are still buried in paper clutter, you’re probably thinking about setting your boss on fire right about now.

This is just one prime example of why you should scan everything into a digital software program. 

From receipts to invoices, work life is 100% easier with digital copies and going paper free.

Even if you aren’t in the office, it’s a good idea to scan everything onto your home computer. That way when tax season comes around, you can easily deduct all of those receipts and bills. 


Switch to Paperless Billing

Every month you probably get a bill in the mail for electricity, water, credit cards, phone, etc.

It may not seem like a lot of paper, but if we told you to leave every single bill on your kitchen table for a year, you’d be pulling your hair out.

Most companies offer paperless billing options, and many offer incentives, such as lower rates, to switch. Once you switch, you’ll start getting emails instead of letters. This could be particularly helpful if you’re looking for a specific bill, as you can just use the search bar. 


Opt for Digital Alternatives

Don’t get us wrong, we love sticky notes. Sticky notes are the perfect bite-size reminders for everything in your life.

But aside from eating up all the trees, these single-use notes are particularly bad for the environment, as they tend to cause recycling problems due to some of their components.

The good news is that most computers have digital sticky notes already programmed in. Just search for sticky notes in your search bar and in no time you can clutter your home screen with all the digital notes.

If this doesn’t prove that you can digitize anything, we don’t know what will. From sticky notes to books, to note pads and sketch pads, there’s a digital version out there.


Digitize Your Signature

How many times has someone sent a document over to you in need of a signature?

Whether it’s the boss or the kid's teacher that’s demanding a signature, you can easily comply and still be green. Simply ask for an electronic copy of the document that needs your signature and with one click you can add a real, personalized signature.

Once you find the right software, it’s easy to sign documents online.


Remove Temptations

Three steps to remove Temptations:

1. Go to your printer
2. Unplug it
3. Throw it out the window

Easy as 1,2,3… 

Okay, please don’t throw your printer out the window. But you should remove any temptations from your home. There are tons of tech companies out there that offer recycling options for old computers, printers, etc.

You can also recycle or donate the notepads and pens that you have just lying around.


Stock the Shelves With Reusable Items

Going paperless means more than tossing the notepads. If you really want to make an impact, you’ll need to purge all the paper. This means paper towels, paper coffee cups, and paper straws, too. 

Once you’ve gotten rid of the paper products around your home and office, you’ve got to replace them with something reusable or you’re going to be left with messy hands and dirty countertops.

Opt for reusable microfiber cloths instead of paper towels, invest in a nice coffee mug to go, and get yourself a silicone straw.


Recycled Toilet Paper Is a Thing, and You Should Be Buying It

Yes, you can even get rid of the toilet paper in your life.

Some people completely stop buying toilet paper and use washable rags and tissues instead. It’s the same idea as reusable baby diapers, but for us big kids.

If you’re not ready to cut out toilet paper, we get it. But there are steps that you can take to make potty time a little greener, such as using recycled toilet paper.

It sounds gross at first, but once you realize that it’s not recycled from previously used toilet paper, it’s not so bad.


Recycle Everything You Can’t Cut Out

If you feel like you just can’t cut out every single piece of paper, it’s okay. Most people take a long time to transition to completely paperless.

In the meantime, be sure to purchase eco-friendly, recycled products, and re-recycle when you’re done with them.


Teach Your Friends How to Go Paperless at Home and in the Office

Man has been using paper since around 100 BC. Don’t beat yourself up if you’re having trouble breaking a habit that’s been around for more than 2,000 years. 

Every piece of paper that you remove from your life is a step in the right direction of going green. 

So just do your best, and don't forget to teach your friends how to go paperless at home and in the office.

Browse through the rest of our site for more ways to declutter your life and stay green. We have a lot of great budgeting and DIY tips to help you stay green while saving some green!