The Best Inexpensive Products To Consider To Lower Your Energy Bills

Are you stressed out about your home's utility costs? If so, you're not alone. When it comes to electric costs in the United States, price increases are outpacing inflation. Unfortunately, the U.S. Energy Information Administration and other experts expect that energy costs will continue to rise as demand increases, power grids become less reliable after extreme weather events, and fuel prices remain volatile. While there are many altruistic reasons to improve your home's energy efficiency, like lowering your carbon footprint, the primary benefit is financial. Improving energy efficiency with inexpensive products like smart thermostats and DIY weatherstripping can help to lower your energy bills.

Although you can save on energy costs with simple habit changes, like running your washing machine on a cold cycle instead of a hot one, or remembering to turn off the lights when you leave a room, these don't impact the overall energy efficiency of your home. Insulating your home to ensure that warm or cool air stays inside when you need it is one of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient. But it can be an expensive proposition, costing up to $8 per square foot to have professionals pull out old insulation and replace it with new fiberglass batt or spray foam. Renovating your windows can also make a huge difference. But these improvements can cost thousands of dollars, which doesn't fit into every budget especially if you're already having a hard time paying your bills. So, we looked for energy saving products that you can DIY and that cost under $50.

Weather stripping your windows and doors is one of the easiest ways to lower your energy bills. The concept is simple. You'll add long strips of material to seal any gaps along the frames or sills. During the colder months, weather stripping keeps cold air out, and in hotter months, it keeps cooler air in. This helps to reduce the amount you need to spend on heating or cooling costs. As an added bonus, weather stripping can also keep bugs out of your home.

There are several different kinds of weather stripping available. Most are sold in a roll so you can easily measure and cut the length needed, before applying using an adhesive backing. The Magzo Weather Stripping Door Seal from Amazon is made of a thick foam and Neoprene, which makes it capable of weatherproofing in temperatures from -50 to 150 degrees Celsius. Nearly 10,000 users have given this weather stripping product a five star rating. Sold in a variety of widths and lengths, reviewers say the foam is easy to cut with a sharp pair of scissors. The strong adhesive also gets high marks for being durable. Several commented that, along with blocking gaps along garage and exterior doors, this door seal also provides some soundproofing benefits. 

Weather stripping foam can also be used to insulate windows. In especially cold or windy climates, consider applying foam in conjunction with a window insulating kit like the top-rated Duck Brand Indoor Shrink Film from Amazon. It's also easily cut to size and installed using double-sided tape. Both products are under $20.

It's foolish to spend money heating or cooling your home while you're at work or on vacation. That's just one of the reasons why you should upgrade to a programmable thermostat. Health experts say sleeping in a cooler room at night is better for you, and a programmable thermostat can lower temperatures after you've fallen asleep to ensure your comfort. Some models can even help you stay on top of routine maintenance tasks for your furnace, helping you save money on costly repairs in addition to monthly savings on your energy bill. 

Thousands of reviewers agree that the Honeywell Home 5-2 Day Programmable Thermostat is one of the best options out there. The cheapest price we found was $21.57 from Amazon, although it's also available from Lowes, Home Depot, and Walmart. Thousands of users give this product a five star rating, describing the installation process as simple and straightforward. The thermostat can be programmed separately for weekday and weekend periods, and includes modes for wake, leave, arrive, and sleep. 

Feedback was divided on the digital display. Although it has a button-controlled backlight, some say it's difficult to find in the dark. But overall, customers say this programmable thermostat is a good value for the money whether you have a gas, oil, or electric furnace. It's also compatible with central air conditioning, hot water systems with and without pumps, and heat pump systems. 

Wrapping yourself up in a blanket is one of the most basic ways to stay warm, and it turns out the same approach works for an electric water heater. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, insulating your water heater quickly pays for itself by saving up to 16% in water heating costs. It's an especially good idea if you have an older water heater that likely isn't as insulated as some newer models.

There are several water heater insulating options to choose from, including rolls of white fiberglass material that can be cumbersome, unwieldy, and easily stained. Hundreds of users recommend the SmartJacket Water Heater Blanket Insulation from Amazon as an alternative. Made of a thick and shiny silver material that comes in two sections that are wrapped around your heater, reviewers say the product is a good value for the money. It costs $43 for enough material to cover a 60 gallon tank. Many caution that having an extra pair of hands to help remove strips from the adhesive backing makes the job much easier.

There are few things to know before you get started with this simple DIY project. Don't cover any controls, shut off devices, or relief valves. You must also be very careful not to block any air passages, which could create a fire hazard. And lastly, carefully check your manufacturer's warranty details to make sure using an insulation blanket doesn't invalidate your coverage.

When it comes to saving money on your electric bill, there's no doubt that LEDs are better than regular light bulbs. LED stands for "light emitting diode", which is a type of solid-state lighting that uses way less energy and lasts much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. The cost of LEDs has plummeted since incandescent bulbs were banned in 2023, and they make up the bulk of what you'll find on the shelves at your local grocery, home improvement, and big box stores.

In fact, you'll find all kinds of LED products out there, from typical bulbs offering lumens that mimic the 40W, 60W, 75W, and 100W options of old, to specialty bulbs for track lights, task lights, under-cabinet lighting, and outdoor fixtures. Along with coming in a variety of colors and hues that mimic incandescent light, as well as more prismatic options, you won't have to look hard to find dimmable and motion sensor enabled LED lighting. Since they contain no glass or other temperature-sensitive parts, LEDs are especially durable in cold weather. 

This quality makes them ideal for outdoor fixtures. LED products like the bestselling Hmcity Solar Powered Outdoor Lights from Amazon have thousands of five star reviews because they offer a little bit of everything: motion detection, solar power, high brightness, longevity, and low cost. At $15 each, they're an inexpensive option that are likely to pay for themselves within a month or two. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average household saves $225 annually by switching to LEDs.

There's a small change you can make to your bathroom that can make a big impact on both your energy and water bills. Instead of relying on standard shower heads that have a flow rate of 2 1/2 gallons of water per minute or more, install low flow options instead. The change will do more than just conserve a lot of water, helping you save on your water bill. It also reduces the amount of energy your hot water heater has to use. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average family uses over 40 gallons of water for showering every day, and can save over 2,700 gallons of water each year by making the switch to low flow shower heads.

Since many of us prefer a high pressure experience, low-flow shower heads have a bad rap. If you want the best of both worlds, consider installing a product like the Hopopro 5-Mode High Pressure Fixed Shower Head from Amazon. The $22 shower head is available in 4 and 6-inch models, in finishes like chrome, matte black, and bronze. Nearly 20,000 users have given the shower head a five star rating, describing it as easy to install, leak-free, and attractive. No matter which of the five spray modes you use — rain, mist, massage, or a combination thereof — the shower head flow rate maxes out under 2 gallons per minute. Thousands of users say the pressure is still terrific, even when the overall water pressure in their home isn't very high.