The short answer
Heating, cooling, water heating and the dryer are roughly 70% of a typical bill. Adjusting the thermostat by 2°C, lowering the water heater to 49°C, and line-drying typically cuts 15–25% with no purchases.
Most "energy saving tips" target the 5% of your bill that lighting represents. Start with the big four instead.
Step by step
- Read your last 12 months of usage — most utilities show this in the online portal.
- Shift the thermostat 2°C (lower in winter, higher in summer). Expect 6–10% off heating/cooling.
- Set the water heater to 49°C / 120°F.
- Line dry or use the dryer's moisture sensor instead of timed cycles.
- Move laundry and dishwashing to off-peak hours if you are on a time-of-use tariff.
- Swap the five most-used bulbs to LED; ignore the rest until they fail.
- Re-check the bill after one full cycle and keep only what actually moved the number.
What it costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Thermostat change | $0 — saves $80–$200 / year |
| Water heater setting | $0 — saves $30–$60 / year |
| LED bulbs (5) | $15–$25 — saves $30 / year |
| Draft sealing kit | $25–$50 — saves $60–$150 / year |
| Smart thermostat | $120–$250 — saves $100–$180 / year |
Common questions
Do standby devices matter?
Marginally — typically 2–5% of a bill. Worth doing, not worth starting with.
Is a smart thermostat worth it?
Yes if you heat or cool an empty home during the day. Otherwise the payback is slow.
Should I switch supplier?
Compare unit rate and standing charge together. A low unit rate with a high standing charge loses for low users.