12 Spring Energy Saving Tips

How to reduce your electric bill during the spring

1. Maintain your HVAC system to prepare for summer

Before the summer months arrive, take care of your heating and cooling system. Schedule an inspection and tune-up with a professional to increase the efficiency of the system and remember to change your air filter as well.

2. Replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs

Did you know LED light bulbs are 90% more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs? Upgrading your bulbs is a cheap and easy way to reduce your electric bill. Not only are they more efficient, but LED bulbs last about 25 times longer than incandescents.

3. Unplug unused appliances or use a power strip

When your appliances and electronics are not in use, they are still adding to your electric bill. To stop “phantom energy” from increasing your utility bill, be diligent about unplugging appliances and electronics when you are not actively using them. If you get sick of unplugging, power strips make things incredibly easy. Save on energy with the flip of a switch.

4. Turn off the air conditioning

Your air conditioner is often responsible for the bulk of your electric bill. When the weather outside is beautiful, you don’t need to use your AC to stay cool. Instead, rely on ceiling fans or open the windows to enjoy a nice breeze.

5. Close the blinds or curtains

During the hottest part of the day, close the blinds or curtains to prevent the sun from heating up the inside of your home. This helps reduce the need to turn on the air conditioning and jack up your electric bill.

6. Save heat-generating activities for the evening or early morning

Laundry machines, dishwashers, ovens, and stoves generate a lot of heat while they operate. It is recommended to use those appliances during the evening or early morning to reduce strain on your air conditioner.

7. Turn the lights off

If you’re not in a room, turn the light off. When the weather is nice and you can rely on natural light, turn the light off. Lighting typically is responsible for 10-15% of your electric bill, so limiting the time the lights are on is a simple way to save on energy.

8. Take colder, shorter showers

If you have an electric water heater and you enjoy long, hot showers, you are likely paying a significant amount of money to heat that water. If you’re looking to save big on your bill, you can reduce your water heater’s impact by turning down the temperature settings on the appliance, taking cooler showers, and spending less time in the bathroom.

9. Adjust the brightness on your television

Decreasing the brightness and backlight settings on your television reduces how much energy your TV consumes while you watch your favorite shows and movies. Plus, it’s better for your eyes and can improve your sleep patterns.

10. Do the laundry efficiently

Remember to only run your washer and dryer when you have a full load of laundry. This reduces how often you run the appliances, resulting in less consumption from those chores. Make sure not to overstuff the machines because that can cause damage and limit the lifespan of the equipment. Finally, don’t forget to clean the lint filter before using the dryer.

11. Minor home improvement upgrades to help cut costs

There are several small changes you can make at home to decrease your energy bill this spring.

Weatherstrip your doors and windows
Make sure your air vents aren’t blocked by furniture
Invest in power strips
Switch to LED light bulbs
Use door snakes to block drafts
Clean debris from your exterior HVAC units

12. Switch to a more affordable electricity plan

One of the most impactful changes you can make to reduce your electric bill this spring is to evaluate your current electricity plan and look for a more affordable solution.

Check the EFL of your current plan and look for the following charges:

Base charge
Usage fee
Energy charge

If your plan has a base charge or usage fee, you can upgrade to a plan that does not include those extra costs.

Check out your energy charge and look around at different providers for a cheaper price.

We highly recommend choosing a simple fixed-rate plan like Bluebonnet.

BKV Energy’s Bluebonnet plan comes with a 30-day risk-free trial. We won’t charge an early termination fee if you decide to cancel in the first 30 days. Additionally, you get access to BKV Energy Plus benefits at no extra cost. Those benefits include an annual customer payout, the opportunity to reduce your rate in the middle of your contract, and a 0% interest deferred payment plan.

Enter your zip code to explore rates in your area.

Written by Graham Lumley

Graham Lumley, Growth Product Manager at BKV Energy, leads digital and traditional marketing strategies, focusing on educating Texans about the state's deregulated energy market. With over 10 years of marketing experience, he creates content to help consumers understand and save on their energy bills, bringing a fresh and dynamic approach to the industry.