Saving money on your electric bill is something that we all want. The account can get out of hand quickly if things are not monitored and adjusted as needed. One of the most important things to remember is that even if you learn how to conserve energy, it does no good unless the rest of the house is on the same page.

So, share the knowledge as you go through the following ten tips to help you save on your electric bill. If you have to schedule a family meeting so you can go over the energy-saving changes together, do so. Now that you understand the main rule of saving on your bill, let’s get down to why you are here.

Thermostat – A house’s most significant impact on the electric bill is the thermostat. If you turn it down a little, even one degree, you will see the difference in the statement the very first month. Switching your old-style thermostat over to a smart version is an excellent way to keep this in check. You can set and control one from an application downloaded onto your mobile device.

Water – Set the hot water heater’s temperature to a lower setting. Use cold water when doing the laundry, and take shorter showers with warm water rather than hot. Hot water uses power from the water pump and will also increase the time the hot water heater will need to be on. Both will increase your energy usage.

Light Bulbs – If you are not using smart bulbs, invest in good-quality LEDs. These can be expensive to buy at first, but the bulbs will last longer than the cheap ones and will not use nearly as much power.

Lights – A common problem in every house on the planet is leaving the lights on when not needed. Install smart switches that turn off and on automatically if you can. Otherwise, drill it into everybody’s head that they must turn the light off when leaving the room.

Compare – Never assume that your current energy provider is the best. For electricity comparison offers, go online and use a platform like iSelect. The site will connect you with their partners that offer services in your area, so all you will need to do is compare them and pick the one that works best for you.

Filters – Change the filters in your heating and cooling system at least once a year. If you have single electric heaters in every room, make sure to remove the covers and change any filters that may be present.

Vents – Have the vents, or chimney if you use wood heat, cleaned out at least once a year. The more you use the system, the more often you will want to consider them cleaned out by a professional.

Appliances – Old-school appliances may work great, but they drain a substantial amount of energy. Invest in some newer models that are designed to be energy-saving. The upfront cost may be more than you want, but it will pay for itself in savings from your electric bill.

Insulate – If you feel any drafts coming in, trace them to the offending area and figure out how to fix them. Have some insulation sprayed into the attic, use spray foam around the doors and windows if needed, and replace the old windows.

Vampires – Leaving all the chargers plugged in, even when not in use, may seem like a good idea, but it isn’t. They will still draw power even when nothing is plugged into them. Buy some smart outlets that turn off the supply when not in use unless you can ask everyone to unplug them when not needed.

These are ten easy tips that you can use to lower your electric bill. Some may cost you a few bucks initially, but the savings on the account will be enough to cover the cost after a few months, depending on what item you have acquired.

Plus, the bonus side of saving on your bill is that you lower your energy consumption. This decreases the footprints you leave behind on the Earth, giving the next generation a planet that is still safe for them to be on.